Living the Christian Ethic

This morning’s second reading from Romans follows directly upon last week’s. We are working our way, verse by verse, through St. Paul’s treatise to the Christians in Rome. Some of you have probably heard of Karl Barth. He was one of the most important theologians and Biblical scholars of modern times. But first, he was a pastor. He began from a point of trying to understand the Bible and interpret it for the people of his own time. His Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans first appeared, in German, in 1918. In the decades since, it has been revised, republished and translated.

Despite his practical roots and practical hopes, Barth is generally very difficult to read. But his commentary on Romans 12 begins bluntly enough with the title: "The problem of ethics." He continues: "The problem of ethics is presented as a great disturbance. How indeed, can it be otherwise? for human behaviour must inevitably be disturbed by the thought of God.." Human behavior must inevitably be disturbed by the thoughts of God. To try to live our human lives while considering the thoughts of God is disturbing. It is a major problem.

If it is such a problem, why bother?

Why try to live what Barth calls an ethical life? I would call it a holy or godly life, because we are talking about more than just a life that is ethical or moral or good. We are talking about a Christian ethic, a way of living that considers the disturbing thoughts and will of God. Why undertake to live such a life? A life following a Christian ethic?

Why? I think of a child’s voice, in that phase around 2 or 3, when every statement provokes the word: "why". Clean up your room. Why? Sit still. Why? Don’t beat up your sister. Why? It’s time for dinner. Why? Mommy has to go to the store now. Why? It’s getting dark. Why?

"Let love be genuine." Why?

In general, why? Why try to live according the Christian ethic?

What parent hasn’t answered finally the interminable "why’s" with "because I say so." And behind those words from a parent are love and concern for the child, that the child be healthy and happy. A parent offers guidance and direction for the good of the child. So one answer to the question of "why should I live a Christian life?" is "because God says so." And hopefully for all of you gathered here this morning in God’s name that answer is sufficient. We trust in God’s love and care and concern for us: God’s interest in our good. So we heed God’s words, "Do this because I say so."

But what if the question still nags? Why? Why should I follow this difficult Christian ethic? Another response to the child’s "why" is often, "because that is what good little boys do." Or, "that is what Americans do." Or, "that is what members of this family do." These are the behaviors that characterize us and if you are one of us, this is what you do. For those who desire to be Christians, this answer works. In Romans, this is mostly where Paul is coming from. He is speaking to those newly drawn into the Christian church and he is teaching them. This is what Christians do; this is how Christian live. If you are to be one of us, this is how to behave.

But I still hear the question "why?" asked by the unchurched. Why should I live according to this Christian ethic? To someone who does not know Christ, who has not felt themselves drawn into the Christian community, and who asks "why?’, how do we respond?

Why? One response that is sometimes offered: if you live a godly life, you will be a happy, successful, prosperous person. Quite a few pastors and churches are thriving today preaching the message of the so-called "prosperity gospel." And it probably lurks semi-conscious in many of our minds… The idea that Christian living is a formula for happiness, a way of earning God’s favor that will lead to human contentment and success.

And, as much as I might think that would be nice, it doesn’t fit my experience. Nor does Paul preach it. Nor does the Bible. Look at Moses and Peter in today’s other lessons. Neither of them found following God’s way to be a path of ease or prosperity.

To the unchurched person who continues to ask, "why?" I might respond, "why not?" I would ask: on the whole, how is your godless life working for you? Even if you have success. Even if you live a mostly moral or good life, deep down how is that working for you? A life without God. How is that working for you? Do you feel some hunger, some emptiness, some aimlessness that gnaws deeply and profoundly? If so, why not try the Christian life style, the Christian ethic of living?

This is important. Living a godly life is both a response to an awareness of God’s love and a pathway towards coming to know that love. All of us need to remember that. Choosing, trying, to live as a Christian can lead us to Christ, whether or not a person knows Christ already. Trying to live into the Christian ethic is a way to know Christ, or to know Christ more fully.

Barth says the overriding Christian ethical action is worship. Worship is honoring God in all things in life. Doing all things to the glory of God.

Paul fleshes that out a bit, gives us more specific guidelines. Let’s look, line by line, at Paul’s words in Romans.

Christian love is the foundation of all of Christina living. The vergb "let" is not in the Greek. Paul’s words are descriptive, not prescriptive. Love is genuine. Christian love is not hypocritical; it is part of the very fiber of all we do. And it is discerning. The cliché "love is blind" is false. Christian love is not blind; it seeks out and clings to the good.

The word "mutual" was translated "brotherly" in earlier translations. In the Greek it is philadephia. The affection of siblings. Not always a feeling of warmth, but a bond of common heritage and purpose. A commitment to the wellbeing of one another. A Christian ethic is familial love at its best.

The only competition amongst Christians is in honor the other. In recognizing, as we pray in our baptismal covenant, that we may see and respect the Christ in one another.

Serve the Lord. That is the Christian vocation of all. Be energetic, active and self-assured in your Christian vocation.

It’s helpful to remember that, certainly for Paul, hope is a virtue, not a feeling. It is not a vague, superficial feeling of optimism; it is a trust that our future is in God’s hands. It is a choice to place our ultimate destiny in God’s hands. Paul is also clear that God does not eliminate suffering, but God gives us endurance in suffering. That is God’s gift. Persevere in prayer. Always. This is a directive for the Christian life.

The word "contribute" really means "share." Be a part of the needs of all of our Christian brothers and sister and all who are drawn to the Christian fellowship. Share their experience and, therefore, do all you can to improve it. Extend—an active verb—hospitality to strangers. This was a hallmark of the early church. Paul depended upon shelter and sustenance offered by strangers as he traveled preaching the gospel. It means that for us. It also means opening our hearts, our lives, to any stranger in our midst. If there is any stranger to you in this Christian fellowship this morning, the Christian ethic prescribes that you, actively, seek that person out and offer hospitality of heart and life.

"Bless." Bless means praise. Praise those who persecute you. Seek their good, their benefit. Pray for it. Work for it. Even though you may wish to curse them. Paul includes that phrase understanding our temptation to curse those who harm us. But bless, do not curse, he says, those who persecute you.

The Christian life is lived in community, in relationship with others. Avoid anything that leads to isolation, separation from the community. Work for the common good. Do not be the one who instigates disharmony or violence.

Leave the consequences of human action to God. Not because God will do a more thorough job of vengeance, but because it is God’s job, not ours. Personal vengeance is never a part of Christian living.

The human, Christian response to persecution or enmity is to feed, not destroy, our enemies. Fill the hunger and thirst of your enemy. Considerable confusion and debate has resulted from Paul’s words about burning coals. It is an allusion to a passage in Proverbs. The reference in Proverbs is to an Egyptian ritual act signifying repentance. A person placed hot coals, in a bowl, in his or her own head signifying an act of repentance. Is this what Paul meant? It’s hard to say. But surely hope is that the evil actions will not be punished, but will lead to shame and repentance, and cleansing. Regardless, the Christian ethic is clearly defined. Do not seek vengeance, but feed and refresh your enemies. Overcome evil with good.

I am reminded of an ancient Christian prayer/hymn. Predating even our earliest liturgies. Those of you with a musical interest may know it. The Latin is: Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Where love and charity are, God is there. Where Christian love and charity are enacted, God is there. God is there to bless and empower those of us who know him. God is there to welcome those who do not yet know him. God is there. As guide and as reward. God is there. Where Christian love and charity are enacted, God is there.