i'm not that innocent...

Romans 16

Most of this chapter contains greetings to the church in Rome. There are a few things that stand out: the number of women that Paul greets or commends - calling one a deaconess (v.1) and another seems to hold the office of apostle (v. 7). This would have been considered quite radical in Paul's day (and, let's face it, in the church we haven't moved very far from that day).
It also strikes me that Paul's "last words" would be to watch out for divisions and those who would put obstacles in the way of the church. This must have been something that Paul considered very important - something he wanted to emphasise to the church. I don't really know the context in which he was writing (as far as what false teachings were present or beginning to take hold) but he must have seen something that was in the beginning stages and wanted to make the Roman Christians aware of it. Perhaps it was the legalistic requirements of those who demanded that Christians had to observe Judiastic law as well.
The verse that speaks to me this time around is the end of v. 19: Be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. I think that I have developed the craftiness of the serpent in many ways - finding ways to do evil and get away with it. There is something intriguing about evil and i have definetely exposed myself to way too much for me to be innocent of evil. I really do need the Holy Spirit to come and renew my mind. Wouldn't that be great? If I could truly be cleansed of all the rot that I have allowed into my mind? I want to be that innocent...