Strength in Diversity?

Jesu Juva

Romans 12:1-8                                                               

August 27, 2023

Proper 16A                                         

 Dear saints of our Savior,

          In today’s epistle we make the leap from Romans chapter eleven to Romans chapter twelve.  And it is a leap—a tectonic transition in Paul’s most profound epistle.  Sure, it’s just one small step for Paul; but it’s one giant leap for you and me. 

          At the risk of oversimplifying, Saint Paul spends the first eleven chapters of Romans telling us who we are.  And who are we?  We are sinners—all of us having fallen short of the glory of God—but also justified freely by grace, through faith, for Jesus’ sake.  Who are we?  We are baptized—buried with Christ in the tomb and raised with Him to a whole new life.  Who are we?  We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, living each day in the sure and certain hope that God is working all things for our eternal good.  Who are we?  We are God’s chosen, the New Israel, the church of Jesus Christ.  That’s who we are! (according to Romans 1-11)

          But Romans chapter twelve takes us from who we are . . .to how we live.  What do the lives of those redeemed by Christ the crucified look like?  What do we do now?  Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, Paul writes.  No more sacrifices involving goats or rams or lambs, for Jesus is the Lamb of God who was sacrificed on the cross for the sin of the world.  Now the sacrifices that please God are the sacrifices you offer with your body.  When you use your brain, your heart, your muscles to serve your neighbor—that is what Paul calls a “living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

          How should we live?  Each one of us needs to know and recognize the “measure of faith that God has assigned” to each of us.  We need to know our part and play our part.  That phrase, “the measure of faith” only occurs here in Paul’s writings.  Some have misunderstood it to mean that God gives different amounts of faith to different people:  Some people get an amazing, resilient faith, while others get something less than that.  But that’s not true.  The faith God gave to Saint Paul and Saint Augustine—the faith God gave to Martin Luther—is the same faith He has given you.  God holds nothing back when it comes to His gift of faith:  He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also  . . . graciously give us all things?  You have faith to the full!  You lack no good thing!

          So, when Paul writes about the “measure of faith that God has assigned” to each of us, he’s describing the function of faith—the expression of faith—the way that faith is lived out in ministry and service and sacrifice for other people.  And here there are differences!  Diversity, variety, a multiplicity of manifestations!  Faith is a living, busy, active thing.  And that faith is busy and active in different ways in different people.  This is what Paul means when he writes about “the measure of faith that God has assigned” to each of us. 

          Paul uses one of his favorite analogies to illustrate:  For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ. We are one body in Christ.  There is but one holy Christian and apostolic church.  But just as your one body has countless different parts, so is the church made up different people with different measures of faith.  We are united in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all; and we are a diverse collection of faithful, gifted people.

          For an even better example, I’m so glad the Our Savior Musical Ensemble is playing today.  The Christian life is about learning the part that God would have us play.  And our ensemble is comprised of musicians playing different instruments.  And note that it is an ensemble—a diverse group playing together under one director.  We’re all soloists by nature.  We love to show off and toot our own horns and be admired for our virtuosity.  But we all have to learn—learn to play our part in God’s orchestra, according to the measure of faith God has assigned.

          But don’t overlook the diversity of our ensemble.  We’ve got flutes and trumpets, violins, violas, cellos—not to mention the organ, which is the king of instruments.  But where would we be if our ensemble was comprised of nothing but tubas?  What if all we had was a clattering chorus of clarinets?  What fun would that be?  Just a deadly, dull uniformity.

          But in the church God gives a diversity of gifts.  He gives a specific “measure of faith” to each and every member.  And notice that these gifts draw us together.  These gifts serve our mutual encouragement.  This diversity serves to build up the church of Jesus Christ.  And, yes, in this diversity—in this God-given diversity of gifts—there is strength.

          This is quite different from the demands of diversity we see in the world today.  In our culture, “diversity” usually denotes things like skin color, ethnicity, sexuality, gender.  In our culture diversity is used to drive us apart and separate us and segregate us.  It makes us into isolated, self-centered narcissists, demanding special recognition for our self-chosen identities.  This kind of cultural diversity has the potential to be poisonous as it drives us apart and separates citizens and neighbors into competing camps.

          But notice that the diversity God gives in the church is for the good of the whole church.  It builds up the body of Christ.  It draws us together and unites us in worship and service.

          Remember that today’s text answers the question:  How then do we live?  How do we live as those who confess (along with St. Peter) that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God?  How do we live as members of His church on earth?  Well, here’s a simple answer from today’s text:  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.  If you want marching orders, here they are: Having gifts that differ . . . let’s use them!  So, what are your gifts?  And are you using them?  What talents or abilities has God given you to serve the needs of your fellow saints?  Do you know?  Have you ever considered that?  Sometimes those gifts aren’t obvious. 

          The needs of the church—now those are obvious!  Anybody can spot what it is we lack—what we need in the body of Christ.  We need SS teachers, voices for the choir, people who pray without ceasing.  We need generous givers who can help us expand our mission impact here at home and around the globe.  We need people who can care for the poor in our congregation.  We need leaders who can organize and inspire with zeal and help make this sacred space look even more beautiful and sound even more heavenly.  Those are but a few of the needs.  I could go on for pages with what it is we need.

          But what are the gifts?  What are your specific gifts?  What can you say or do to build us up—to edify, to inspire, to encourage?  What problems can you solve? What effort can you underwrite?  (If you don’t know what your gifts are, then let’s you and me get together for a visit sometime.  I can help.) 

          St. Paul writes, Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. This is so important.  God’s gifts—the personal, individual gifts He has given each of us—these gifts must be used.  To squander a gift from God is unthinkable for the baptized child of God.  When you refuse to use what God has given you to use, you are on shaky ground.  To refuse the gift is to refuse the Giver also.

          But please note, these gifts must be used in the right way.  Let’s say you have the gift of generosity, or the gift of showing mercy.  Use that gift, BUT . . . don’t discuss it—don’t highlight it, showcase it, put it on your resume and social media, and compare the gift you have with the gifts someone else has.  There too we get into trouble.  That diversity of gifts can become deadly and divisive when improperly used—just read 1 Corinthians.  But rather, take your cue from Romans chapter twelve:  Having gifts that differ . . . let us use them.  And using them, just wait—wait in expectation for the results that God’s gifts can achieve.

          To know your gifts—and to use your gifts—can only happen “by the mercies of God.”  That phrase comes right away in v.1.  Everything we are comes as a result of the “mercies of God.”  By the mercies of God the Lord Jesus has cleansed you of all sin and made you a member of His holy church.  By the mercies of God you are renewed and refreshed at this altar with the very body and blood which Jesus once shed for you on the cross. 

          How do we live?  This is how we live!  We speak because God is speaking to us through His Son.  We give because we have been given to.  We show mercy because we have received mercy.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let’s use them!

          In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.