Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. New International Version (NIV)
Following a couple of days of considering how important it is to avoid the temptation to seek revenge, to get even or worse, we'll complete our time in this passage with a good one to think about over the weekend. The call is to live at peace with everyone. Wow! I'm glad Paul started it off with "if it is possible".
Think about all of the relationships in our lives, starting in the home with spouse and children, think of your neighbors, friends, co-workers and then think of those "enemies" or those who oppose us that all of us have in our lives. "As far as it depends on you, live at peace with them".
Think of that little phrase, "as far as it depends on you". We have a responsibility, peace just doesn't happen by accident. Peace isn't absence of conflict, it goes below the surface to the heart. We are to do our best at it, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God.
Will it always happen? No. We can't control other person or persons involved. Without a turning on their part, some mutual agreement, there will not be peace. But we can be at peace if we've done all that we can.
Is there a confict going on in your life? May you, by God's grace, be able to work it out, may there be reconciliation, may there be peace, at least as "far as it depends upon you."
Romans 12:17-19
J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
17 Don't pay back a bad turn by a bad turn, to anyone. Don't say "it doesn't matter what people think", but see that your public behaviour is above criticism.
18 As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone.
19 Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if he will. For it is written: 'Vengeance is mine. I will repay'.
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