In Romans 16:17-27, the Apostle Paul closes his letter to the Roman Christians with instructions that are clearly at odds with today's ideas about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Paul warns the church in Rome about certain characters who would be divisive and scandalous. Those individuals were not only NOT Christians, even though many of them most likely wanted to be thought of as such, they were deceivers who would use Christian talk and flattery to trick the Romans into believing their deceptive, false "gospel." Naivete was something that the Roman Christians did not need to be, but instead, they needed to be wise. By way of application, Paul's instruction needs to be trumped from the roof tops today, in an age where false prophets and teachers abound, and have taken many well-meaning individuals hostage through cunning and deceit.
Lastly, the Apostle Paul offers a short doxology, glorifying God through the Lord Jesus, and especially for the gospel message that was a "mystery," but is now fully revealed in the person of Jesus. Thank God for his grace! Thank God for his revelation! Thank God for his Son, who willing paid the sin debt of humanity in-full, so that sinners "may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in" Jesus. Amen!
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