What’s Your Response? – July 12, 2026 – Eddington Presbyterian Church

Micah 6:6-8, Romans 12:1-2. 9-21
July 12. 2026

I think this follows nicely with our sermons lately. A couple of weeks ago it was, “Who’s Your Drummer?” – are you “in-step” with the Holy Spirit? Then, it was “What’s your Calling?” – what “ministry” do you do in your life? Then last week, of course, we had a brief “interlude” with Independence Day. But now today, it’s “What’s Your Response.” I like how this series has developed between Kari and I, because, yes, it’s about God, but it’s also about us.

So today, we’re looking at Romans. And Romans is a very interesting book. Yes it’s a letter. But, many scholars have described it as “The closest thing we have to a “Systematic Theology” in the New Testament. And by “Systematic Theology” I mean an attempt to organize “systematically” everything the Bible teaches about the faith. There have been many systematic theologies written over the years, by such great theologians as John Calvin and Karl Barth.

There’s a story that’s told about Karl Barth which I love! One day he was challenged by one of his students to sum up all of his writings in one sentence. And Barth’s answer was great! He smiled and simply said, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” There you have it! That’s a “Systematic Theology in one sentence!”

Now I know that some have said that story is just “Urban legend.” But legend or not, isn’t it still true? Isn’t that the whole Gospel in one sentence. “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

Well, Paul used a few more sentences in Romans! And even though this is a letter written to a specific church, Paul is doing systematic theology here. And it’s great! In fact, it’s been said that if we lost the whole Bible, but kept the book of Romans, we would have everything we need, theologically. Here, Paul has been telling us about the sinfulness of humanity, justification by faith, the new life in Christ, the work of Holy Spirit, and even God’s faithfulness to Israel. For eleven chapters, he has carefully explained the gospel. “Who is God?” “Who are we?” “What has Jesus done?” “How are we saved?”

So then, after those eleven chapters, after giving us history, and scripture, and doctrine, and Paul was good at that! Now, in Chapter 12 he begins with the word, “Therefore.” And that’s always an important word! Whenever you see the word “therefore” you should consider what it’s “there for.” And what he’s saying here is, “Therefore,” meaning “because of all that.” “How will you respond?” And that’s our question for today. “What’s your response?”

As you think about that, I want you to notice that in everything he says here is about action. The question isn’t “What have you learned?” Or even “What do you now believe?” It’s “What do you do?” “How do you respond?”

Faith is a word that always has an action associated with it! Otherwise we’re just talking about “belief,” aren’t we? You have faith in something you believe. Faith is doing something because you believe. You have faith in the brakes on your car! And you have faith in the mechanic who maintains them. It’s not a matter of just passing inspection, right? It’s not about when you’re sitting in your living room. You have faith when you’re out on the road, and you need to stop, and you push that pedal!

There’s an old story I heard years ago. Maybe you’ve heard it. It’s the story of a man who fancied himself to be a daredevil. And one day he announced to his neighbors that he was determined to walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope, pushing a man in a wheelbarrow. Of course, his neighbors all poo-pooed the notion. Except for the one man who lived next door. He watched the man set up a tightrope in his backyard and practice for hours and hours, walking back and forth on it. Then he saw him put a wheelbarrow on the rope and push it back and forth, for hours. Then he added some weights. And he got pretty good at it. And one day the man asked his neighbor what he thought, and the neighbor said, “I’ve watched you! You’re amazing! I believe you can do it!” “Good!” said the man. “I want you in the wheelbarrow!”

That’s the difference between belief and faith, isn’t it? It’s not just about what we believe. It’s about how we respond to that belief. It’s the life we lead because of what we believe. Remember what James said about this. He said, “You believe in God? Big deal! So does the devil!” It’s all about faith. It’s all about how we respond.

I love what Paul says here. I love how he calls us to respond. Look at this. “Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.” I love that! And sometimes it’s hard to “hold fast to what is good,” isn’t it? “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor!” He goes on. “Never flag in zeal. Be aglow with the Spirit. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” That’s wonderful stuff! We should have all that on our refrigerators, to look at every day! It’s not easy! But it’s wonderful stuff!

That’s how Paul is calling us to respond to the gospel – to the Grace and mercy of God. But he doesn’t end there! Because it’s not all “uplifting” stuff like that. The next thing he throws in there seems a little out of place. “Bless those who persecute you,” he says. “Bless, and do not curse them.” “Aaah, you could have left that one out, Paul!” But he didn’t. And he’s gonna get back to that one. Because at this point he does go on a bit more positively. He says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.” Again, those are good ways to respond to God’s Grace.

And remember, all these things are action things. Faith is what we do because we believe. It is a response to God’s Grace – including the one he revisits here at the end – the one about “blessing those who persecute you.” And again, that’s not so easy! But, if you remember, Jesus himself said that very thing! He said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” Maybe that’s where Saul/Paul heard it! And now he fleshes it out! “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink. For by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Isn’t that’s an interesting way of looking at it? There’s almost a little humor here. It’s almost like, “Get revenge by doing good!” Then he sums it up in his last sentence. He says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Those are all the things Paul calls us to do in response to God’s Grace.

So, what’s your response? How do you respond to all that God has done for you? And Paul has been telling us here that we don’t “respond” with belief. we respond with words and actions – that is, faithful words and actions. Our response is found in the way we live, in the way we love, in the way we forgive, in the way we serve, and yes, in the way we treat those who oppose us.

Paul began this whole thing by appealing to us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. That’s our response. All of what he said after that is what a life transformed by Grace looks like. The prophet Micah said it centuries earlier. “What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” That’s more than just believing God’s mercy. It’s how we respond to it.

Prayer

Eternal God, once again, we are amazed by your Grace. Help us to live the transformed life your love calls us to live. Help us to respond to what we believe by seeking to live and love as Jesus did. Help us to follow the example he gave us. For we pray in his name, and for the sake his kingdom in our midst, Amen.