Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
July 18, 2010

Romans 12:16
Live In Harmony With One Another

How do you live in harmony? And how you do that with other people? Maybe the answer is to be good for goodness' sake?

This attitude works. It gets people to be nice to other people. It gets people to take risks when helping others. Did you hear about the Ohio mailman who saved a drowned man with CPR? And this is the third life he saved while on his route... which he finished on time. We hear this news and it makes us glad. It's great to know that there are people who are eager to help when help is needed.

But we appreciate non-dramatic events and people, too. Our neighbor who shoves our walk in winter or mows our grass in the summer. The neighbor who keeps her yard so neat and clean and full of beautiful flowers. The dog-walker who makes sure his pooch doesn't ruin your sidewalk. Little stuff, sure. But it means a lot to us that there are many who are good for the sake of goodness.

They live in harmony with their neighbors because they want to be treated well as they treat others well. All of this works. It is rational. And as believers we thank our Lord for a community that, for the most part, is peaceful and united and harmonious.

But as believers we strive to live in harmony with one another for a different reason. A reason that is irrational. The world looks at what Jesus did to save us and thinks, “Irrational! That guy was crazy!” The world is correct: sacrificing the holy Son of God to save sinners is... unexpected.

Christ calls us to do unexpected things also.

He wants us to want what is best for our bullies. Pray for your bullies (remember that they come in all shapes and ages and sizes). Be kind to them. Sometimes you might need to defend yourself or someone else from their fists, but don't hit back with your words.

Don't be afraid to spend time with a rich person whom everyone else despises or a poor person whom hygiene isn't up to our standards.

And don't take yourself too seriously. If you don't, you'll much more stress and worry that you'll need to unburden on Jesus. While He'll be glad to do so, He also wants what's best for you.

This is our irrational reason for living in harmony with one another: we want what is best for others. We are able to do this because Jesus has set us loose on this selfish world and the conceited bullies who live here.

Our lives are filled with so much disharmony. Communication problems, money problems, relationship problems—and now try adding other people to the mix. If we handle our lives in the expected way, our lives may smoother than others. We might be well-liked and respected by others. That's good for now.

But as followers of Jesus our attitude will be one that the world will never understand. It will always be irrational and unexpected, just like Jesus. But He gives us the only harmony that will last, even when the world ceases to be.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.

Amen.