The Christian I Should Be

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
August 30, 2008—Pentecost 16

Romans chapter twelve begins the practical section of the book. Paul’s letters usually have two main sections. The first is typically doctrinal then follows the second practical section that is based on the first. These kind of practical exhortations are called parenetic teaching. This two main genre pattern (doctrinal & practical) is one of the most characteristic things about Paul’s letters.

Paul bases his parenetic teaching on what Christ has done for us, that is, because Christ has redeemed us, we should live in this manner. For instance, in Romans 12:1 he writes, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God... Paul’s appeal to live as Christians begins with the reason we should obey. God shows mercy to us in Christ so we should respond in obedience. Chapter twelve of Romans deals with how Christians should live with other Christians. It is how we are to act toward fellow believers.

OK. We understand. This should be pretty straightforward. We have all read and heard such passages as this before. There is very little argument about the rightness of Paul’s parenetic teachings. Just look at our text for a moment. Christian virtues such as love, zeal, hope, patience, prayer, generosity, hospitality, harmony, returning good for evil, peace—I mean—who could object to such things. These kind of virtues describe what a Christian is like.

So as we read or listen to such passages as this one, our minds go on autopilot. We know what to expect. We know what the right response to these verses should be—Yes, Amen. We all agree with Paul’s teaching. Who would deny that this is God’s will for the Christian? We are about to turn the page and go on. Then, a moment of hesitation, a second moment of thought.

Let me go back and read that again.

Let love be genuine... An unsettling doubt begins to rise up in my heart. When has my love for other Christians been entirely genuine, without hypocrisy, without playing a part? How many times have I winced inwardly because a difficult person ties to corner me about something? Oh no, here we go again. I cringe and try get away... Is this genuine love?

Suddenly I am gripped by the fear that I might be a failure at being a Christian. Am I a phony, saying one thing and doing another? I read on and my fear grows. I do not hate every evil as I should. I hold on to the good rather lamely. I am lazy when I should show zeal in my service to God. I would rather turn on the mind numbing television than read or study God’s Word. I would rather hang out with my friends than help someone. How many times have I held on to my billfold as if my life depended on it? Please God, don’t ask me to talk to that poor person—I can’t afford it right now. O God, the last thing in the world I want to do is have them over for dinner. I laugh inwardly when that jerk gets his “come-upins.” I can’t get along with him! I’ll show him that he can’t do that to ME!! Heap burning coals on his head, with pleasure!!!

Paul’s words condemn me. Rejoice in hope? Patient in trouble? Constant in prayer? Yeah, right!

In disbelief and shock, I think, Paul must be a madman. This is so unrealistic. Who can do all this? Oh we might try—even try hard. But no one really acts like this. Not really. Not always. But—God expects really and always. Who am I to question God? This is the Christian I should be.

A sick feeling in the pit of my stomach tells me that I am doomed. There is no way that this sinful man can ever measure up to this long list of expectations. Call them what you will, they are all law and death to me. They kill me with their rightness and their goodness and their kindness.

Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips.

But then, a faint echo from Paul’s letter stirs something in me, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God... The mercies of God! Mercy means that God doesn’t kill me outright for my sinful ways. Mercy means that he still calls me his child when I am rebellious and willful. Mercy means he shows me love when I am hateful.

But how do I know he is merciful to such a sinner as I am? He has proven his mercy when Christ took MY penalty of death for MY sins. Unlike me, Christ set his mind on the things of God and willingly went to the Cross. Unlike me, Christ gladly gave up his life so that I could live. He paid for all my sins—even my failures at being the Christian I should be.

Perhaps I should read the text again. Has anyone ever truly lived like this? Genuine love—Jesus did. Hate evil, cling to the good—Jesus did. Be zealous—Jesus did. Fervent—Jesus did. He served God. He gave himself for all of us needy sinners. He welcomes all who come to him—the poorest, the rejects, the unlovable, even enemies like me.

He rejoiced in hope—Jesus for the joy that was set before him...

He was patient in trouble—Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame...

He was and is constant in prayer—Jesus is at the right hand of God, always living to make intercession for us.

Jesus is the Christian I should be.

So Paul isn’t a madman. Paul understood.

We have died, and our life is hidden with Christ in God.

We have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. And the life we now live in the flesh we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us.

The mercies of God! Jesus died for me. Jesus lived for me. Yes, He is the Christian I should be—for me. So, Jesus lives for me and prays for me. I now read this text with new eyes. I see Jesus there. And in seeing I live, free from condemnation. And in my life, daily, as I die and rise again with Jesus, He lives out the Christian life in me. So that even in my imperfect obedience, God sees Jesus in me—really and always. Amen.