Tuesday, August 9 - Romans 12:9-21

Attitudes are now encouraged, in addition to all the ideas and actions Paul recommends. This is the exhortation people expect to find in the bible, and to hear in sermons. This is a sweet spot for North American Protestant preaching, telling us to get a better attitude reflected in the way we participate in ministry. Like it?

Interpersonal relationships advice flows from attitude adjustment. There’s a run of empathy and mercy talk, about cutting others some slack. I hear an undercurrent, though – ‘take thought for what is noble in the sight of all’, and ‘heap coals on their heads’. God may be as impatient with idiots as you are – leave it to God.

The NRSV translation adds a heading to this section, ‘marks of a true Christian’. I usually ignore headings as interpretation of the text – but can you imagine why folks might want some ways to recognize the ‘marks of a true Christian’ in themselves or others?