Readings from Romans: Marks of Faith

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 30, 2026
Romans 12:9-21

“Readings from Romans: Marks of Faith”

A BBC Masterpiece series that my wife and I have enjoyed watching is Grantchester. The final season is now on and set in the summer of 1963, ending the series after eleven seasons. The final season follows Church of England vicar Alphy Kottaram (Rishi Nair) and Detective Inspector Geordie Keating (Robson Green) as they navigate personal and professional challenges in Grantchester, a real village about two miles outside the city of Cambridge. Inside the police station where Detective Inspector Keating and Vicar Alphy Kottaram often meet, there is a counted cross stitch hanging on the wall. I tried my best to find an online picture of it, but to no avail. The message on the framed wall hanging is part of the opening verse from today’s Epistle lesson: “Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Romans 12:9). In today’s Epistle, Paul the apostle writes about the marks of faith, beginning with this opening verse. Our summer preaching series, “Readings from Romans,” continues today as we focus on these verses under the theme, “Marks of Faith.” May the Lord’s rich and abundant blessing rest upon the preaching, the hearing, and the living of his Word for Jesus’ sake.

Some years ago, a man named Reggie McNeal wrote a book entitled, Get Off Your Donkey! Help Somebody and Help Yourself (Baker Books, 2013). The book is a brief but compelling call for Christians to put Christ’s love into action in daily life. Like the Good Samaritan in the parable which Jesus told (Luke 10:25-37), we are to get down off our donkey, roll up our sleeves and do good to others in Jesus’ Name regardless of who they are. After his book was published, Reggie McNeal came to the Southeastern District and was the keynote speaker at a summer conference. Although his presentation was funny, McNeal’s topic was anything but. He talked candidly about how the Church in America is in decline. Like every other institution in today’s culture, the Christian Church, regardless of denomination or affiliation, is under intense scrutiny from a very skeptical public. The culture around us has shifted from a church-based and church-friendly environment to one that may be not just skeptical but downright hostile. Simply put, Reggie McNeal’s point is this: the Christian Church in twenty-first century America is going to have to serve its way back into our culture. It’s a new day out there, and the world is looking to see from us love in action that is concerned about real-life needs in the community around us. These are the marks of faith that the world around is looking for.

So, what do these marks of faith look like? That is what Paul the apostle writes about in today’s Epistle lesson. These are concrete signs in the life of Christ’s people that spring up from hearts that have received the love of God made known in Jesus the Son of God. These aren’t things that you can force people to do; it doesn’t work that way. And these are not things that come by way of guilt; it doesn’t work that way, either. Both coercion and guilt may work for a little while, but they won’t last. Such motivation is not authentic, but fake, and people can smell that a mile away. Take up your worship bulletin and let’s read together what the marks of faith look like from the Epistle lesson in Romans 12:9-21.

It’s interesting to note that Paul uses two different words in verses 9 and 10 for love. In verse 9, the word is αγάπη, this is the word used in Scripture to describe God’s self-giving, sacrificial love for us – love that knows no boundaries or limits. This is God’s love made known in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation. But in verse 10, Paul uses a different word for love (φιλόστοργοι) that denotes strong family affection. In other words, Paul is saying that God’s self-giving love for us will be made known to others in the nitty-gritty of life: love for Christ’s people who are sitting right in front or behind or beside me; the ones who try my patience and get on my nerves. Yes, if Jesus loved me enough that he would give his life for me, then I can learn to love my fellow brothers and sisters.

Look at what love in action is: genuine love and abhorring what is evil. Note that it says “what” is evil, not “who” is evil. Genuine love in Christ attaches itself to the good in a person while detesting the evil in him or her. There cannot be love for what is evil, but love can see beneath the evil to that which is good. Showing honor, not flagging in zeal, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, constant in prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, showing hospitality – this is what the world needs to see in us. It is one thing to be persecuted for the faith, but it is quite another to bless those who persecute. The original word that describes this is εύλόγεϊτε, where we get our word “eulogy,” literally “good words.” When we experience setbacks or tribulations for the sake of Christ, what kind of words do we use? Are they good words that bless others, even those who may be behind the setback or tribulation? “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). It is a rather easy thing to weep and commiserate with someone in calamity, but it is much more challenging to rejoice with someone and not be envious. Paul calls us to live with humility, and not think more of ourselves than we ought (Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 2:2, 4:2). Loving others is demanding. There are lots of things that get in the way: personality problems, behavioral traits, hurtful tendencies, strange beliefs, and even what side of an issue someone is on. Loving others is demanding. But if Jesus loved us all, including those who are hard to love, then we are to love one another.

“Repay no one evil for evil… do what is honorable in the sight of all… live peaceably with all… never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God” (Romans 12:17, 18, 19; see also Matthew 5:43-44; 1 Corinthians 13:5, 6; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9). What happens in traffic when another driver cuts us off? Angry and vengeful thoughts can quickly take over, leading to road rage and tragic consequences. Here’s the thing: when we leave no room for the wrath of God, we make room for the devil (Ephesians 4:27). What would happen if we really began to live out this command from the Lord? Would our lives be different? Would the lives of people around us be different? I believe that they would. The “burning coals” which a person feels when good is returned for evil may be that Spirit-led means which brings the other person to repentance.

It all comes down to this: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). This is what Jesus has done for us: overcoming the evil we have done and the good we have failed to do by giving his life as that once-for-all sacrifice for our sins upon the cross. He has literally loved us to death, and now he calls us to love others as he has loved us. That is love in action. That is the mark of faith. God help us to do this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.