Be wise and innocent

Romans 16:19 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. Apparently Paul had heard good things about the Roman believers and their response to the gospel. In the introduction to his letter he wrote of what he and his companions had received in Christ, “Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake” (1:5). One of Paul’s aims in his letter was to bring about obedience to the gospel truth. He told them in this verse that he had heard of their obedience to the gospel. He was rejoicing over them. However, they apparently didn’t understand how that gospel truth was to be applied to their daily walking with each other. So he wrote chapters 12-15 to give them wisdom in how that gospel was to be applied, namely, through loving and serving Christ by seeking the highest good of each other. The highest good was the building up of the body of Christ in love so that Jesus would be glorified as the firstborn among many brethren (8:30). This is being wise in what is good. He also wanted them to be innocent or pure in their relationships with one another. They were not to encourage or do evil, namely, stumble or destroy the faith of another because of selfish ambition or self-serving practices. What a good description of someone who is living to love with Jesus. The gospel makes us wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. In essence, we know how the gospel applies to their relationships. We have been loved by God. His love has been shed abroad in our hearts. His love has secured our standing and acceptance with God. Therefore, we express such supernatural, Jesus-generated love toward one another. That’s living to love with Jesus. May we be encouraged today to wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil, for His glory.