Romans 12:9-20
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. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in afflictions, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
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. 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.” Instead, “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.
Introduction
I have never been sailing but I often enjoy books and movies about sailing ships, like Moby Dick. One thing I’ve learned is that one of the most important thing in sailing, whether it is a little two-person sloop or large schooner, is keeping the ropes or lines straight and tying the proper knots so the lines stay in place.
Many of the commands the captain shouts are about pulling ropes to raise the sails or giving the ropes a little slack. An important command is Hold Fast, which a captain may shout during a storm. Hold fast means that everyone on deck must grab onto a rope and hold with all their might so they don’t get swept off and thrown into the sea. It is vital that you hold on to something strong and permanent. Or as St. Paul says, hold fast to what is good.
Many people who have served in the US Navy have the words Hold Fast tattooed on the front of their fingers to remind them of the need to persevere in difficult times. Hold Fast when the storm hits so that you will stay alive. When the storm passes, you can return to your normal tasks. Each of our lessons for today talk about the need to hold fast when times are difficult.
Jeremiah
First we have verses written by the prophet Jeremiah who lived in one of the worst times in Israel’s history. Jeremiah watched as his nation’s leaders foolishly led the nation into disaster. Jeremiah was an unwilling prophet who struggled with the messages he received from God. Thanks to Jeremiah we have a word, Jeremiad, to describe sermons and literature that warn people to repent before disaster strikes
The powerful and comfortable in Judah did not repent when Jeremiah called them out for their sinfulness and selfishness. They were offended by Jeremiah’s frequent warnings that their unjust economic and political system and corruption of leaders would soon destroy the kingdom. The elites accused Jeremiah of being disloyal or subversive or even treasonous because he called on them to repent.
Jeremiah didn’t want to get tangled up in politics, but God would not leave him alone. Jeremiah argued with God, pleaded with God, and tried to turn away from God, but God would not let him go. In our lesson for this morning, God responded to Jeremiah’s complaints and promised that he would make him as strong as a bronze wall so that his enemies’ assault would not harm him. God told Jeremiah to keep proclaiming the truth and confronting injustice despite the storms that swirled around him. God told Jeremiah to hold fast in the storm and trust in God.
Matthew
Our gospel lesson has a similar theme. This passage comes right after the one we discussed last week when Peter proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah. Right after that bold statement of faith, Jesus told Peter and the other disciples that the road they were traveling on will lead them to Jerusalem. And it would lead to Jesus’ suffering and death. Jesus wanted the disciples to understand that their master, teacher, and friend would not turn away from the dangers awaiting them. Jesus was going to keep on the road he was traveling even though it led to Golgotha. Jesus would continue to proclaim good news to the poor, release to the captive, and healing to the sick. He would continue his ministry even though the wealthy and powerful were afraid that his message of love and forgiveness would overthrow their systems of power.
Jesus warned the disciples that they also would face difficulties if they followed him. He knew that it is not easy to preach love in world filled with hatred. People get angry at peacemakers during times of conflict. He told the disciples that would have to pick up the cross and hold fast to the cross as they went out into a hostile world. Hold Fast in difficult times, Jesus said.
Genuine love
This brings us to our sermon text for today. All summer we have had passages from Romans in the lectionary, and some of them are very difficult to understand. But our passage this morning is loud and clear. It practically preaches itself. It is Paul’s succinct description of what it means to live as a Christian in a frequently hostile world.
Paul begins by saying “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” This means that we shouldn’t pretend to love our neighbors on Sunday morning in church, and then on Monday insult, denigrate, or ignore your neighbor’s suffering. We shouldn’t offer prayers and sympathy without helping those in difficult situations. When Paul is talking about love, he isn’t talking about an emotion. Love means doing good for others; it means thinking about another person’s needs. Love is shown in our actions, not in our poetry or emojis.
Paul also tells us to hate what is evil. He was not saying that we should hate people we disagree with or hate sinners. He says to hate evil things, which is another way of saying avoid doing evil. Paul doesn’t list all the evil things to avoid, but we make our own list. Do not do harmful things to others. Do not abuse people. Do not cheat people. Do not insult, dehumanize or despise other people. Do not bully them, attack them, or rob them of their dignity. Hate evil. Do not glorify evil things to try to prove to others how manly you are or how righteous you are.
Hold Fast
Then Paul tells us to hold fast to what is good. We should keep in mind that St. Paul was living in a dangerous time and place. In Paul’s days, the Roman Empire had the most powerful military in the world and a brutally efficient government. But it also had rulers who were so crazy they believed they were gods. The emperor Caligula was so deranged, his own bodyguard murdered him to save the empire from disaster. Emperor Nero wanted the whole world to worship him and adore him. He built dozens of amphitheaters entertain the crowds with blood sports and gladiatorial games. He built a gold plated pleasure dome while people throughout the empire were hungry. When Rome was consumed by flames, he diverted blame from himself by accusing the Christians of arson. He them crucified hundreds of Christians including Paul.
Paul knew that the Christians in Rome faced many kinds of danger, so he urged them to Hold fast. Don’t let go, he said. Don’t be swept away by the storms when they buffet you. Hold fast to what is good and don’t let go. Paul knew that times that try our souls are the times when we need our faith the most.
We are living in such times now. When billionaires wield chainsaws to destroy institutions dedicated to providing food for the hungry and clean water for the thirsty, it is easy to be swept away by fear of our neighbors. When maniacal rulers bomb civilians and spread terror throughout the world, it is easy to be swept away by hatred. When temperatures are rising and ancient forests burst into flames, it is easy to hide and care only about your possessions. When the internet is full of half-truths, baseless accusations, and open lies, it is easy to be swept away by rage. Paul urges us to resist, to hold fast to what is good rather than giving into the evil in our hearts.
You have probably heard the famous story of John Wesley sailing to Georgia on a boat that included a group of Moravian missionaries. He admired their simple piety and learned German from them so he could translate Moravian hymns. One day a powerful storm came up, and waves washed over the ship’s railing, Wesley panicked. Even seasoned sailors despaired. But the Moravian men and women continued to sing to their Savior. Even though the howling winds made it impossible to hear their words; the Moravians sang. Wesley came to them and ask what they were doing. Didn’t they know that everyone may to die? And the Moravians replied, “Yes. That is why we are singing.” They were holding fast to what is good while others were being swept away by fear.
Remain true to Christ
Next, Paul instructs us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.” Paul is telling Christians that we need to remain decent human beings even in times of great stress. Being Christian does not mean that we separate ourselves from others. We must have compassion so that you can feel the pain of others and share their tears. Rather than judging people who are sad or suffering, we should share their tears. But we should also rejoice with others when the rejoice.
Paul tells us that we should try to live in harmony and not be arrogant. Some theologians have taught that the root of all sin is not greed; it is arrogance. We see many kinds of arrogance in our world today. There is arrogance of men who think they are more worthy than women and visa versa. There is the arrogance of the wealthy who think their lives are worth more than the people who work for them. There is the arrogance of preachers who think that God shares their prejudices.
Arrogance is evil because it destroys the human community. Paul urges us to turn away from arrogance and the need to prove you are important by making others feel small. It is times like this, Paul says, that we must hold fast to what is good. Hold fast to the knowledge that all lives matter to God. Hold fast to the proposition that we are all created equal. Hold fast to the proclamation that are all people are made in the image of God. Hold fast to the belief that God loves all that he has created, including us!
Conclusion
In many ways, the days we are living in are even more dangerous than Rome was in Paul’s day, but his advice is still sound. Brothers and sisters, let us hold fast to what is good. Let us strive to overcome evil with goodness. Is it easy to this? No. Does it come naturally? No. Is it the way of Christ? Yes. Is this the way to weather the storms of live and avoid being swept up in fear, anger, despair, and hatred? Yes. Is this the heavenly path? Yes. Hold fast to what is good. Hold fast to Christ. Amen
