Text: Rom 16:17-27
In the name of + Jesus. Amen.
St. Paul concludes his letter to the Christians in Rome with a warning: “Watch out.” He bids Christians to be on alert for “those who cause divisions and create obstacles.” They do this “contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught.” Paul is referring to the doctrine that he has taught in his preaching, teaching, and letters – which are recorded for us in the New Testament. This doctrine is the apostolic doctrine. And as for those who defy the apostolic doctrine, the apostle says: “Avoid them.”
For a long time, modern Christianity has been watered down into a mush of a motto: “Be nice.” Or as it is more likely to be said today: “Be kind.” We live in a culture that values individualism to the point where truth itself has been turned into an individual preference: my truth, your truth, his truth, her truth, and even zir truth. And since truth has become a matter of individual assertion, to deny someone else’s “truth” is seen as “unkind.” Therefore, according to this unchristian doctrine, it is unchristian to question a man who claims to be a woman, or even a girl who claims to be a cat. The Christian and apostolic doctrine is that Jesus is not simply “a truth,” but rather “the truth” (John 14:6), and furthermore, that this objective truth “will set you free” (John 8:32). The world cannot abide this doctrine.
As for those who teach contrary to the apostolic doctrine and contrary to the truth, we are to “avoid them.”
This is also seen as unchristian by the kindness-cult: to avoid people. This is a violation of the world’s doctrine of “inclusiveness.” But St. Paul explains that we avoid such people because, “such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.” And what’s more, their opinions don’t simply stay with the false teachers, since “by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.”
It is easy to downgrade the importance of holding fast to the doctrine of Jesus and the apostles. We can always compromise a little here and a little there, especially in conforming to the world’s “kindness” and “inclusiveness” doctrines. And little by little, not only our doctrine, but our faith becomes compromised and watered down. Emphasizing “kindness” over truth leads to a “deeds not creeds” kind of Christianity that will, in turn, destroy our “obedience.” This is why Paul warns us: “I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” Satan is the father of lies and the opponent to the truth, and Paul assures us that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
Let us pay heed to St. Paul’s warning, even as he counseled Timothy: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching [doctrine]. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” The truth embedded in Paul’s doctrine, “according to the command of the eternal God,” will “bring about the obedience of faith.”
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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