Day 43: Romans 12 and 13, How to Live
In different ways, both chapter 12 and 13 are about how to live as a follower of Jesus in the world as it is. They seem very different in some ways. Chapter 12 is a soaring vision with practical and impractical advice (let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good) and Chapter 13 seems more practical, dealing as it does with the relationship of the early Christians with civil authorities.
In chapter 12, Paul casts a vision of a the transformed life and a transformed community. He begins by speaking about the gifts people will share in this transformed community. And then he goes on toe share a laundry list of Christian excellence: genuine love, hospitality to strangers, service to others. Giving to the needs of the saints. Associating with the lowly. This is what transformed lives look like. And though it is easy for us to read the list and consider these are individual virtues (that is the way we think of most things in our lives), these are virtues practiced and honed in community. This is the "rock tumbler" of Christian community, where we bump up against one another, and begin to shine (sometimes despite ourselves).
And then, we come to the difficult chapter 13. Why difficult, you might ask? After all, Paul is simply asking us to consider civil authority as given by God, to obey the law, to believe that there is order to the creative world. God has put governments in place for a good purpose, to prevent chaos, and to make sure communities (as much as possible) live in peace. It seems fair enough. Even now, we encourage citizens to obey the law.
Except that there are extenuating circumstances. Except that in Nazi Germany, church-goers used this particular chapter of Romans as an excuse for not standing up to Hitler. So we need to read Romans 13 very carefully respect the message and its limits.
Remember that Paul did not live in a democracy, where everyone had the same voice and responsibility. Even so, remember as well that if rulers are given by God, they are accountable to God as well. If they are not acting justly, we have the means, and the responsibility, to hod them accountable, while at the same time respecting laws.
So, these chapters are both very different, with a different slant. But they really are about one thing: about how to live in the light of the love and mercy of God. And Paul wants us to know that though this might seem like an idealistic vision, that the love of God calls us to act in very practical and ordinary ways, in the real world in which we live.
Which of these chapters resonates more with you?
In chapter 12, Paul casts a vision of a the transformed life and a transformed community. He begins by speaking about the gifts people will share in this transformed community. And then he goes on toe share a laundry list of Christian excellence: genuine love, hospitality to strangers, service to others. Giving to the needs of the saints. Associating with the lowly. This is what transformed lives look like. And though it is easy for us to read the list and consider these are individual virtues (that is the way we think of most things in our lives), these are virtues practiced and honed in community. This is the "rock tumbler" of Christian community, where we bump up against one another, and begin to shine (sometimes despite ourselves).
And then, we come to the difficult chapter 13. Why difficult, you might ask? After all, Paul is simply asking us to consider civil authority as given by God, to obey the law, to believe that there is order to the creative world. God has put governments in place for a good purpose, to prevent chaos, and to make sure communities (as much as possible) live in peace. It seems fair enough. Even now, we encourage citizens to obey the law.
Except that there are extenuating circumstances. Except that in Nazi Germany, church-goers used this particular chapter of Romans as an excuse for not standing up to Hitler. So we need to read Romans 13 very carefully respect the message and its limits.
Remember that Paul did not live in a democracy, where everyone had the same voice and responsibility. Even so, remember as well that if rulers are given by God, they are accountable to God as well. If they are not acting justly, we have the means, and the responsibility, to hod them accountable, while at the same time respecting laws.
So, these chapters are both very different, with a different slant. But they really are about one thing: about how to live in the light of the love and mercy of God. And Paul wants us to know that though this might seem like an idealistic vision, that the love of God calls us to act in very practical and ordinary ways, in the real world in which we live.
Which of these chapters resonates more with you?
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