In yesterday's reading Paul exhorted us to live in harmony with others, and to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us. Here in 16:17, he appeals to us "to watch out for those who cause divisions;" to "avoid" such people.
Paul is not saying that we should discard sound doctrine and avoid discussion altogether, in order not to offend anyone. For indeed Paul himself would go into the synagogues and reason with the religious leaders. What he is doing is making a distinction between those who come to the word of God humbly, and those who come to the word of God self-righteously.
Both of these types of people know the word of God in some capacity. But the first type will interact with others graciously, gently, compassionately; desiring for them to know what is right, but not at the cost of sacrificing those relationships. They know that communicating their value of people as most important to them, will make way for the truth to be most receptive.
The other type will interact with others harshly, definitively; desiring for them to know what is right even at the cost of those relationships. It is so important for them to be right, and for others to know what is right, that they will stop at nothing in order for the truth to be known.
When you think about interacting with these two types of people, how do you feel? Probably loved and cared for if you're talking with the first type. And probably hurt and distant if you're talking to the second type.
So which type are you?
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