Grace Be With You

     “The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”  Who said that and to whom was it said?
     Paul said that to the church in Rome.  He was not just speaking platitudes, but was assuring them of their victory over Satan if they rejected false teachings and continued to obey God’s word.  The entire text reads, “I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.  Keep away from them.  For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.  By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.  Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Romans 16:17-20).
     The grace of Jesus is not a mandate to accept any or all teachings proposed by men, as some see it.  It is an encouragement to reject divisive teachings contrary to God’s revealed truth through Jesus and his inspired followers. Jesus wants us to, “watch out for false prophets” (Matthew 7:15).  That was Jesus’ command and warning.  When we obey that command, the grace of our Lord Jesus will be with us.

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Rick Cunningham