“I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
(Romans 16:17-18)
God’s people make up His church, the body of Christ, and Christ is its Head. God chose to knit His people together with diverse gifts, callings, and personalities to serve and glorify Him as one unified body. Every member is necessary. Every part is vital. The hand is not the foot, and the eye is not the ear; all are joined together in one body by the Spirit.
But Paul’s warning in Romans 16 is sharp: there are some who, by smooth talk and flattering speech, cause division within the church. Paul is not speaking of minor disagreements or of immature believers growing in faith. He is referring to divisive persons who oppose sound doctrine and promote themselves above Christ and His Word. They sow seeds of strife and wound the body of Christ for their own gain. Such are to be avoided because a divided church is a discredited witness. A fractured body cannot move forward. Thus we are exhorted to discern, to guard our hearts, to love one another sincerely, and to submit to Christ, our Head. For the church is never stronger than when she is unified in doctrine, holiness, and love.
This reality reminds us that true peace in the church does not come from ignoring sin or doctrinal compromise. It comes from being of one mind in truth and love. Christ, the Prince of Peace, commands His people to walk as He walked, to love one another, and to strive for unity in the bond of peace. “Walk together in the order and unity of the Gospel. So take heed of any dividing principles, mark those who cause Divisions, and avoid them. Those that are not for peace be not you for them, whatever pretense they may have to purity attend them not, unless they are men that are for peace.”[1]
Scripture urges us to be of one mind, one faith, one baptism, one Lord, and one God and Father. This is no small calling. But by God’s Spirit, and through the Word of truth, the church can and must pursue it. We must strive for peace, not at the expense of truth but on the foundation of it.
Contemplation:
- Guarding Against Division. Lord, I know that until You return for Your church, seducing spirits and emissaries of Satan will work to unravel the unity of the saints. They often present themselves as righteous, but their goal is ruin. Let me not be naïve or careless in what I hear or follow but wise and discerning, grounded in Your Word. Strengthen me to test all things, to hold fast to what is good, and to reject every false way.
- Avoiding False Teachers. Lord, help me carefully avoid all causes and causers of division. Help me recognize and reject false teachers, those who bring in heresies, who subtly undermine the gospel, and who sow confusion among Your people. Don’t allow me to tolerate what You forbid but rather treasure Your doctrine and walk in sound teaching with a grateful and humble heart.
- Walking in Holiness. Lord Jesus, help me resolve with David that I will “not know a wicked person,” nor approve of the deeds of darkness. Keep me far from sin and from those who infect the body with ungodliness and error. Keep me walking in the light, pressing toward holiness and delighting in truth.
- Striving for Unity in Love. Lord, let me strive for peace both in my church and in my home. Let me be quick to forgive, slow to speak, and eager to reconcile. Let me not insist on my own way but regard others better than myself. Keep me from pride, bitterness, and suspicion. And help me love my brothers and sisters as You have loved me, with patience, grace, and humility.
Prayer
O God of peace, You are not the author of confusion but of harmony among the saints. You built Your church upon the foundation of truth, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone. In Him, all the building is fitly framed together, growing into a holy temple in the Lord. And yet, Lord, how often do we fail to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
I confess, Lord, that I am easily drawn to contention. I can too quickly judge the hearts of others. I too easily take offense. I am not always quick to forgive. I do not always strive for peace. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Renew a right spirit within me. Make me an instrument of Your peace in the church and in the world.
I plead with You, Lord, to guard Your church. Raise up godly leaders who are sound in doctrine, holy in life, and loving in their shepherding. Silence the mouths of false teachers. Remove the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Protect Your flock from every divisive voice, from every deception, and from every snare of Satan.
Give Your people a heart for unity that is grounded in truth. Help us love one another sincerely, forgive one another freely, and serve one another gladly. Let the watching world see our love for each other and know that we are Yours.
Help me, O Lord, to be slow to speak, quick to hear, and slow to wrath. Help me put on bowels of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering. Let me bear with others in love and so fulfill the law of Christ. Let me speak the truth in love, and let my life reflect the grace that I’ve received.
Lord Jesus, You are our peace. You have reconciled Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female, and made one body by Your blood. Let us not destroy what You have purchased at such cost. Make us one, as You and the Father are one, that the world may believe.
I ask all this for the glory of Christ and the health of His church.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for Romans 16:17–18
Eph. 4:3, 13; 2 John 1:10; 2 Thess. 3:6; 1 Tim. 6:3; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 3:10
[1] Joseph Alleine, Remains of That Excellent Minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Joseph Alleine (London: Printed for Peter Parker .., 1674), 80.
