Eighth Sunday after Trinity 2026
The Christian faith is one of propositions - we hold to essential truths about Jesus Christ, we are committed to God being revealed to us as a Holy Trinity, historical facts of Christianity are absolutely essential. Yet, truth, however true, becomes practically irrelevant if one is not committed to living as though it were true. St. James speaks to this type of faith - one full of intellectual assent and devoid of practical application - as being the faith of demons - for even the demons believe the truths revealed in Holy Scripture, the faithful propositions of the Creeds and so on. The first half of the year we celebrate the joyous truth that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, that God in his infinite goodness and mercy had compassion on us and sent His son into the world to take our sins upon Himself, to die our death so that we might live unto Him.
The purpose of the Incarnation, the reason for death, resurrection and Ascension is new life and a new life of obedience to God. So, during the second half of the Church Year we more fully consider and commit ourselves to the practice of the Christian faith. Bringing together the truth revealed and our lives, so that over time we think differently, we live differently. Incarnating, as Christ’s beloved Bride, the Church, the life of the Kingdom as it comes here on earth.
St. Paul in our Epistle speaks to being debtors - not debtors to the flesh, our fallen natures, but debtors to the Lord who redeemed us from sin and death. The uncomfortable truth that St. Paul is speaking to in the Epistle is that we are all debtors, we are all servants, not free agents, not radically autonomous actors. We will serve; we will worship - the question is who or what will we serve. Service of our natural inclinations, our sinful natures will result in death.
Service of sin destroys all that is good in creation; look around and consider the wreckage…marriage destroyed by sin, resulting in divorce. Children neglected by parents; children who later neglect their elderly parents. All manner of evil and all things that separate and alienate one from God. These are examples of the results of service of sin. But St. Paul says to the Romans “if you mortify the flesh by the Spirit, you will live.” Mortification is the active putting to death of sinful desires and actions. Deliberate actions directed by the Holy Spirit, in reliance upon Christ’s righteousness, that actively seek to turn from sin. Sanctification - become more like Christ in character and in our priorities - is not works righteousness, it is not a reliance on one’s deeds to make one right before God. Instead, it is the calling of every Christian to submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading as He leads us into the peace of God and eternal life. In part, it is why we have seasons like Advent and Lent. It is why we embrace ancient practices of the Christian life like fasting in its varied sorts.
Moreover, this mindset of obedience is evidence of our adoption as God’s children. While debtors, St. Paul also reminds us of our status - that we are adopted sons and daughters. Debtors, yes, as pertains to our rights before God according to our own merits but adopted because of the generosity of God through the perfection of the Good, the perfect Son. The presence of the Holy Spirit moves the Christian to call out to God in constant communication, to grow in a joyful relationship whereby we call God Father. Have you thought about the privilege of calling God “Father”? The God of all creation who is the eternal King reigning can be properly addressed by any Christian as Father. The loving Father who wants only the best for his children. The caring Father who provides all that we need and so many good things beyond our needs. In his love and care, he disciplines and forms us. Our heavenly Father shapes us so that we become more like his dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord.
St. Paul moves on in our Epistle to speak about the Spirit bearing witness with our spirits that we are sons. What does that mean? The Holy Spirit indwelling within the Christian converts fear of judgment and service according to bare duty into obedience because of love. Part of the Spirit’s witness to our faith is a growing love of doing God’s will. Delighting in what God says so that we are willing to suffer for Christ here and now with full expectation that we will be glorified with him in the end. As we grow in obedience, we will have greater confirmation through the Holy Spirit that we are indeed God’s children.
Obedience to God’s truth, conformity to what Our Lord says is a better indicator of the Spirit’s presence than any emotional experience. We praise God when we feel his presence; that is truly a gift, but what marks His followers is bringing forth the fruit of obedience rather than the vacuous promise of good intentions. Plants reproduce and they bear fruit according to type.
The fruit that Jesus is looking for is that of loving obedience that St. Paul says is the result of our adoption as children of God. Jesus says our actions will indicate our true commitments. He says in the final verse of our Gospel, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Let us listen very closely to what Jesus says. We are surrounded by a culture that focuses so much attention on intentions. Our culture wants extra credit for their purported good intentions - almost like a participation medal in our culture. In our Gospel, Jesus says not everyone who professes that Jesus is Lord will enter the kingdom of God. Words are cheap; intentions are fickle. Obedience born of Christian love, love of adopted sons and daughters, is the fruit that Jesus is looking for. Doing the will of the Father now, giving yourself out of appreciation for the love of Jesus for you. Manifesting Christ’s presence, the reality of one’s faith in Christ that results in obedience to that which pleases God.
Beloved, let us not be satisfied with words, with sentiments, but let us press on to growing obedience to God’s will revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
