Here we have it, straight talk on marching orders for Christians of maturity everywhere. I have to say that this time I started off with a connection to the Matthew 16 reading. Verse 23b: “you are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” I think Jesus is after a list that Paul gives us here in Romans. So I made myself a list of the Human Things that keep us in sin: focus on darkness around us, concentrating on what’s owed to us, protecting ourselves from getting hurt, pride in ourselves, hatred of other people.
When we set our minds on Divine Things, we instead overcome our humanness: peace between people, focus on Trinity, being brothers and sisters in Christ, spiritual connections, blessing those who curse us, leave revenge to God, denying our self-interests, caring for enemies. These Divine Things are hard for human beings and might even feel super human. We might think we need Jesus and a Superhero Cape to have our community focused on Divine Things.
Here is what can happen though: Suppose you had a dislike for a used-car salesman who knowingly sold you a lemon. He goes to your church. You hear that he is in the hospital after a heart attack. You call his wife and tell her you are praying for him. Then you visit him at RMH and leave a get well card and homemade cookies. You still don’t know if you like him. But you are at peace because you transcended your personal feelings and treated him like a brother in Christ.
This is the hardest challenge for Christians. And I didn’t understand until I woke up at 5am Saturday morning thinking about the black and white situation around the country. It just seems so big and I hope little places like ours will make some changes so black men are not shot over ridiculous things. Then I remembered the Declaration of Independence written 244 years ago or close to it—It starts out “All men are created equal.” That’s how I would like to see people treated. We just have a few men who think they are more equal than others. That’s what needs to change. If we stick to our founders’ language we will get back on track.
It is said that Luther particularly liked this passage in Romans because of the reference “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.” He had such sharp opinions and hated many people you see.
The scripture is clear though. We are to challenge ourselves to be the bigger person. These are 30 imperatives commanding us: Love one another, Do not lag in Zeal, be Ardent in Spirit, Serve the Lord… In my Bible it labels this section ‘Signs of the True Christian.’ It may take many of the ideas from the Sermon on the Mount and gives the Romans and us too something to think about in our lives. When we follow Christ, what is it to take up our crosses and to work out how to be astounding, rise above ourselves and think on Divine things, not Human things.