UNIFORM LESSON FOR August 19, 2018
Scripture passage and lesson focus: Romans 12:9-21
Christian theologians are challenged to connect their theology to the lived experience of believers. We should all be grateful for the many pastors and teachers whose ability to bridge the distance between theological reflection and the realities of daily life help the followers of Jesus lead lives of faithful discipleship.
The cynical comment that theologians go down the deepest and come up the muddiest reflects an all-too-common attitude of pragmatic activists who prefer doing to thinking. Even the followers of John Calvin are not exempt from the temptation to minimize the theological basis for ministry. That theological base must be connected to the real world in which believers live every day.
No book in the Bible is more explicitly theological than the epistle to the Romans. Its first 11 chapters contain Paul’s most profound theological principles. That is why the first verse of chapter 12 is so crucial. It connects Paul’s theological thinking with the practices of daily life that mark a true disciple of Jesus. I wish the NRSV translation would read “Therefore, brothers and sisters, I appeal to you … .” I would even put the word “therefore” in capital letters. Paul knew how important the connections between theological thought and daily living are.
Romans 12:9-13 — Genuine love in action
A sure sign that Romans 12 marks the transition from theological reflection to ethical instruction is the dramatic shift from lengthy indicative sentences to a rapid-fire series of verbs, mostly imperatives that focus on the actions Christians are called to do.
Just look at the powerful verbs that characterize a Christian lifestyle: love sincerely, hate evil, hold on to the good, practice mutual love, excel in showing honor, be zealous, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
And that is not all. Paul urges his readers to rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering and persevere in prayer. A Christian also has obligations to fellow believers and to strangers. Therefore Paul says, “Contribute to the needs of the saints” and “extend hospitality to strangers.” All of these very concrete practices are demonstrations of Christian faith.
Romans 12:14-18 — Live in harmony
Paul was well aware that persecution could follow the acceptance of his message about Jesus. He had experienced that himself. Nevertheless, he urged the Roman Christians to bless those who persecuted them. Rather than following the human tendency to respond to opposition with curses and retaliation, Paul instructs his readers to ask God to bless their persecutors.
Christians are counseled to be empathetic by rejoicing with people who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. This implies that Christians are discerning observers of the people around them. Their goal should be to live in harmony with all people and to associate with the lowly.
The human tendency to respond to perceived personal slights or injustices is often to respond in kind. That is not what Paul instructs Christians to do. Instead, followers of Jesus should always take the high road. As former first lady Michele Obama has said, “When they go low, we go high.” Paul admonishes his readers to give careful thought to what is honorable and noble.
Paul recognizes that frequently it is not possible for Christians to sustain peaceful relationships with all people. He himself certainly did not. But in so far as that is possible, Paul says, Christians should work toward that end.
Romans 12:19-21 — Overcome evil with good
Paul warns the Roman Christians not to take revenge against their enemies. That is something best left to God, he says alluding to Deuteronomy 32:35:
“Vengeance is mine.” He goes on to cite Proverbs 25:21-22: ”If your enemies are hungry, feed them; and if they are thirsty give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” As biblical commentator Paul Achtemeier observes: “Paul is not giving advice on a better way to get back at one’s enemies! Rather, such treatment is intended to get the enemy to turn from enmity to friendship.”
The basic principle for Christians is summed up in the last verse of
Romans 12: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” All of the imperatives in this passage are not new laws, but tangible ways to demonstrate how the grace of God shapes our daily life.
For discussion: Can you describe times when you have observed people practicing the behaviors described in this passage? What strategies have you used to remain at peace with all people?
