Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18 NIV
REDEMPTIVELY. That's how Jesus lived. He sought to make a difference in the lives of others. His goal wasn't getting even, getting what was rightfully His, or even winning the arguments. His focus was to interact with people redemptively and to leave them more blessed than where He found them.
You cannot control what other people think, feel, say, or do, but you can control yourself. You can become mindful of your thoughts, in control of your emotions, careful in your speech, and deliberate in your actions. Most importantly, you can decide to show love to every person you encounter.
Life is a series of events, mostly marked by encounters with other people. The outcome of each of these encounters is mutually dependent on how each person reacts or responds. Self-control is a spiritual gift that enables us to respond by the power and insight of the very Spirit of God.
Essentially, each encounter can become a meaningful and purposeful experience in your spiritual journey, even the most unpleasant ones, even the ones where the other person reacts poorly.
It is important to decide beforehand how you will live, choosing to serve as Christ’s representative in each encounter.
We tend to think that victory in relationships comes when we are in control of the situation. This is why we spend lots of time beforehand thinking about how we can manage upcoming difficult conversations. We think of what we might say and imagine what the other person might say in response. We then think of counter-responses and create a fantasy conversation where we win.
But things never seem to go as planned, do they? No, victory comes not when we control the situation and manage the conversation but when we control ourselves and entrust the outcome to God.
As believers, we are called to be a light in a world of darkness. And I cannot do that by escaping this world. I need to be engaged with the world around me. But how can we live at peace in a world that is opposed to so much of what we believe in and hold dear?
That is the challenge we face when engaging the world, and oftentimes even other believers. And Paul acknowledges that it may not be possible. We cannot control other people. But we can choose to do our best to live at peace with others.
We can do that by choosing not to be offended by what others say.
And we can choose not to be confrontational about issues that have only temporal value. None of that means that we compromise our faith and beliefs. Nor does it mean that we just go along to get along. But, by living peacefully with those around us, we have a greater opportunity to share with them those things that are really important, things that have eternal consequences!!!
Father thank You for this day and the grace of Your love that is evident in our hearts. Lord open up the floodgates of heaven and rain down Your abundant blessings upon my friend and family today. Lord we can see clearly, how much You have changed our perception, especially regarding our view of others. Lord thank You for taking our hearts of stone, and giving us hearts of flesh. Lord open our eyes to see when people are bitter toward us or where there is conflict, or a general lack of peace. Lord open our ears, to hear Your instruction and guidance, so that we can if possible reestablish peace with every person. Lord use my friend to be the light of Your love today to all. Be a blessing.
Father, we love You. Amen !
תגובות