Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost August 29-30, 2026
“And The Greatest Is…” Romans 12:9-21
Rev. John R. Larson Ascension Lutheran Church Littleton, Colorado
There are some words that mean more than the assembling of their letters. Here’s one. A pastor gets this one from time-to-time. “Pastor, that was a good sermon…BUT.” Watch out for that three-letter word. That person doesn’t want to offer a compliment but has a bone to pick with you about something that was said. Here is one that you may have gotten: “I really like the outfit you are wearing…BUT.” It is wrinkled. The colors are awful. It doesn’t quite fit. Or whatever. That little word “But” removes the compliment.
Here is another word that has such a transformational action. That word is “therefore”. Everything that you have just said, everything that you have just argued, has built up to that next word – “Therefore.” It is a common-sense word. It tells you what the conclusion should be. It has provided the evidence and lets you know what the next step should be. I imagine it is a good word for lawyers to use. It is a good word for mom’s and dad’s too!! “Therefore!!”
It is also a Biblical word. Our reading about the life of a believer, living by a higher and better way, begins with a “therefore.” “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1-2)
This section is about sanctification – living the Christian ethic of love. It is based upon justification – the work of Jesus to bring us into faith in His work.
You know the early chapters of Romans. What a mess we were, and are, by our sin and rebellion against God. “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned way, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12) And, therefore, Paul uses a “therefore.” “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law, rather through the law we become conscious of sin.” (Romans 3:20)
When we fully understand what a miserable place we stand in relationship to God by our sins and rebellion, God has another “therefore” for us. This is a good “therefore.” “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” (Romans 5:1-2) “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” (II Corinthians 5:17) “Therefore” is such a great word. We have one hope. Jesus. He died for all our sin. He cleansed us from all our filth. He took upon himself our failures. He rose from death and invites us to heaven’s eternity. Find yourself with the peace of faith. Find yourself confident in Jesus.
All that has happened to us – coming to faith in Jesus, living in Baptismal grace, declared righteous and holy through the merits of Jesus – is all God’s wonderful “therefore”.
Because of what He has done for us, God calls us to do something wonderful and great and life-changing to others. Listen to all these imperatives, all these commands:
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. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)
Before I go any further – what is this placing “burning coals” on someone’s head? How painful!! How awful!! How could a Christian do that to anyone? It sounds vengeful and spiteful. But what I read about that phrase is that is a call for repentance, a change in one’s life and a turning to a new life. You show such kindness to someone that they are brought to shame with how they are living toward you and their heart becomes repentant, purified and cleansed. That is the “burning coals” that is mentioned.
Isn’t it amazing how far God wants to take us in our life? The depth of love that He is calling us to live and share is quite amazing. Notice how genuine it is. Consider how authentic it is. How do we get to where God wants us to be? It all starts with God’s actions toward us in Jesus. “In view of God’s mercy…” St. John writes, “We love because he first loved us.” (I John 4:19) John also says, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (I John 4:11) Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
Look at what love does, how it looks and how we should live in love. First, there is a humility to love. “Honor one another above yourselves.” “Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” An arrogant and haughty person does not exhibit godly love. Thinking that we are better than others and looking down on others who don’t live or look like us, is not the way of Jesus Christ.
Love has a type “A” personality to it. A person must take the initiative to love. “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor.” In the Revelation, Jesus speaks to the church in Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16) They were tasteless. They had no fire in their belly. They didn’t live by the Spirit’s push. John, in his epistle would write, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (I John 3:18)
This past week Dolly Parton died. Dolly grew up in with a Pentecostal and Baptist background. Her grandfather, Jake Owens, was a Pentecostal preacher. She saw her talent and fame as a ministry to bring others joy and bring out that which was positive and hopeful. She gave millions of dollars away – to children with her “Imagination Library”, and the help provided to folks who had gone through various disasters in her “My People Fund.” One person wrote of her heart like this, “Her philanthropy reflected her faith in loving and serving others unconditionally.” Love is sincere. Love is quite practical. Love shares with people who are in need.
Love is beautiful. Hate is ugly. In this section look at how Paul takes on evil. “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Verse 9) “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” (Verse 17) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Verse 21) No tit for tat. No memory that makes us get even. No justifying by taking revenge. God has called us to a higher level and a greater life. I Corinthians 13, the love chapter says, “Love is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (Verses 4-8)
It all began with the word, “Therefore”. “Therefore” tells us what Christ has done. Everything begins with Christ and it ends with Christ. And we, right in the middle, fill our life to others with love. Amen!!
