Although Paul had not planted the church in Rome, he was overjoyed that Jesus Christ had built His church in the centre of the Roman Empire.  Many of its leaders had been taught by Paul elsewhere; they had proved their faith as they shared with him in gospel-ministry and gospel-sufferings (Philippians 1:29).  They had obeyed the Apostle’s teaching and their zeal was well known.

But the Apostle did not want them to get over-confident, assuming that they could cruise on their past spiritual victories. He knew that spiritual victory can only be won, one battle at a time.  So, despite their good spiritual record, evil would keep trying to invade their church and personal lives.  Evil, of course, is not just a description of moral badness but the active work of Satan.

Therefore, they needed to be wise, knowing the difference between good and evil, and able to make the right decisions. Spiritual maturity is developed by choosing to accept and do what is good, and to reject evil. The mark of the man and woman of God is that they intentionally refuse to co-operate with Satan and his plans to deface the peace of God. Paul was confident that God would bring peace as He mobilised the church against the devil's dark kingdom.  As Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, "... I will build my church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it" (NLT).

Two thousand years later we need to hear the same messages: 'where you have been obedient, well done' ... 'don't get over confident, another battle is round the corner' ... 'be discerning, work out where the evil is and do not get involved in it' ... 'God, who has brought you peace through His blood, is mobilising you to fight with Him against the devil' ... 'you can't do it on your own, you need the grace of the Lord Jesus to be with you'.  So do not be arrogant about past battles won, or utterly despondent about battles lost.  Let today be a new day of obedience, discernment, and victory in Christ.