Knowing Who You Are

The Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

All Readings

Romans 12:9-21

⁹ Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; ¹⁰ love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. ¹¹ Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ ²⁰ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Afterthoughts

I hope that they idea of being grafted into the body of Christ was a good illustration for you this week. I think it is always important to remember that we are a part of something ancient and something life changing. This life change is a complete makeover as seen in the beginning of the twelfth chapter of Romans:

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect.”(12:1-2)

This makeover is intended to reflect the New Commandment that Jesus gives in the upper room when He washed the Disciples feet: 

“A new command I give to you, 
that you love others as I have loved you.”

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

• One of the most difficult things about the life of faith is the inertia of going back to the things that have held us back in our lives. These verses illustrate the need to understand what you have “signed up for” and live accordingly. Nobody likes a hypocrite. This life of faith is about love for others. Make it a competition and see if you can love BETTER that someone else.

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

• Don’t have the faith of a “couch potato” Christian, but instead live with a faith that boils over through leaning into the difficulties, parading God’s hope and knowing the power of prayer,

Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 

• Basically, help those you know, and those you don’t (even those who are out to get you). And be present in the lives of those around us.

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 

•  Know that God made us all and we should see everyone through God’s eyes.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

• The world has enough anger on its own; be a peacemaker.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

• Understand that God is in charge of “making things right.” We are only responsible for being kind and loving to everyone we meet.

Let me share an example of what this looks like in my life as the Spirit continually pursues me and challenges me to be the embodiment of these verses.

I was driving in downtown Nevada City today and there was this goofy looking guitar player in Robinson’s Plaza. He was kind of a cross between Jerry Garcia and Wavy Gravy with a lot of streetwear. He looked like he was trying to be a busker and get tips, but nobody was around him. I was in Nevada City to grab some lunch for Pepsi at Calla Lilly Crepes. The crepes there are huge (much larger than Pepsi can eat by herself), so I asked them to cut it in half (I am, after all, a very hungry person). As I walked out of the store and down Broad Street, Goofy Guitar Guy was moving towards me. The Spirit whispered in my ear, “Maybe he’s hungry too?” I got in my car and watched him, trying to decide what I was going to do. Then, I remembered I had cash in my car. I rolled up to the stop sign and leaned out the window with the cash. Goofy Guitar Guy was speechless. He thanked me over and over and then said he and his wife really needed it, at which point, he pointed across the street to an older lady in a wheelchair. Now, I have no idea about this guy’s actual state of well-being, but it doesn’t matter. The love of God manifested in the life of Jesus through the impulses of the Holy Spirit compels me to be different; to see those who would not be found and who are often overlooked.

There is certainly no kudos for me in this, I am only doing what I have been asked to do: Love like Jesus.

Blessings