Happy Friday! It’s time for your daily devotional. Paul ends his letter to the Romans with salutations and greetings. This reveals the hospitality of the Christian community, a tight-knit band of believers. We are one body in Christ, and should enjoy fellowship. In today’s daily devotional, greeting other believers shows brotherly love.
Greet Saints Warmly
In the final chapter of Paul’s epistle, he takes time in verses 1-16 to ask them to greet saints at Rome on his behalf. Phebe, Paul’s sister in the faith, served as a deacon in the church at Cencrea. She was entrusted with delivering his letter to the Roman church, and he asked that they receive her warmly and assist her in whatever she needs, as she has helped many, including himself.
He greets Priscilla and Aquila, partners in the ministry who share Paul’s craft. He speaks of their faithfulness, as they’ve risked their own lives for him. He lists many other saints whom he has grown to know and love. In your daily devotional, as you serve God together, take opportunities to acknowledge your co-laborers in the faith.
Stay Vigilant
In verse 17, he reminds them of the faithless: “Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” He cautions them to shun false teachers who cause dissensions contrary to sound teaching. They don’t serve the Lord, but live to satisfy their own desires.
They may be eloquent, but they follow doctrines of devils, using enticing words to deceive the simple-hearted. In this daily devotional, stay vigilant and avoid those who don’t teach the truth of God’s Word as you’ve learned it.
Faith and Obedience
The Romans had become known for their obedience to God’s Word. Oftentimes, Satan’s emissaries will count on believers to be easy targets that can be manipulated with faith lingo. Jesus told His disciples to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves. Satan’s a deceiver who wreaks havoc on the unsuspecting. In your daily devotional, don’t be ignorant of his devices; he comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
Finally Eliminated
Paul tells them that God will soon deal with Satan. Revelation 20:10 foretells his fate: “And the devil who had deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,” and there he’ll be tormented forever. His doom has been set from the beginning, but he’s counting on you thinking he’s invincible. In this daily devotional, the last two chapters of Revelation show that the devil has been eradicated and order is restored.
Esteem Others Highly
Paul mentions Timothy, his companion, co-laborer, and son in the faith, who sends salutations. Timothy had been under Paul’s tutelage and traveled along with him on his second and third missionary journeys. He names several kinsmen who also send salutations, as well as saints including Gaius, his host; the entire church; a city official; and a brother in the faith. Some were unknown to Rome, but they still sent love. In your daily devotional, be a believer with a heart full of love to give.
Brotherly Love is an Expression of Your Faith
In Friday’s daily devotional, Paul ends his letter by commending the grace of Christ upon them, while giving glory to God in verse 25: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ.“ The mystery “kept secret since the world began” is Christ, our hope of glory. In today’s daily devotional, showing brotherly love toward others flows from a life in Christ.
