10/9/24

Romans 16:19 NASB1995 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

How we live and what we do is important. People will see and talk to others about who we are. There will be discussion about whether we obey God's commandments or not. There will be discussion about whether we are Christ-like or not. This is called our witness. It has to do with what we say and do. It also has to do with how we say and do it. This witness (or report as it is written in our text) will travel far and wide. This is why Paul warns in our text, "to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. " We need to be very protective of our witness. It is a valuable part of our sharing the gospel. (Sharing the Way, as we call it, at Middlefork.) If we are not obedient to God and doing what is good and innocent then no one will have any desire to listen to us when we Share Jesus with them. Satan loves to destroy the witness of those who follow Christ. Many men of God have fallen because of not being protective of their witness. All Christians need to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil so that there will be rejoicing at their report.

Second, when there has been failure, let us never forget forgiveness, mercy, and grace. God offers these to all in Salvation through His Son. Therefore we are to do the same. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:14-15 NASB1995 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Praise the Lord for His ways! Live in them and be careful with your witness. It has great value in growing the Kingdom of God.

Love Bro. Scott