If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)
Did you know that you have a choice in how you live and relate to other people? Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’re not simply the victims of the circumstances around us but that we can actually be a positive change. Paul says that one of our responsibilities is to seek to live at peace with everyone. Sometimes that’s not a possibility, but we need to do everything in our power to have peaceful relationships with others.
Being at peace with others doesn’t mean never confronting an issue or refusing to be honest. Sometimes the loving thing for us to do in relationship to others is to speak truth in a kind way. However, we can all think of times when we’ve opted to “take up arms” or to engage in an argument simply because we want to be right. How many hours are wasted debating useless disagreements simply for the sake of our own egos? If you’re not a Christian, then you have every right to live in such a way. If you are a Christian, then you have a responsibility to humble yourself and seek to be peaceable.
Is there a relationship in your life that’s constantly full of turmoil? What could you do to bring peace to it? Not every relationship is open to peace – certainly Paul’s life was plagued with turmoil. However, as far as it came to him, he sought to be peaceful whenever possible. We should do the same.
Father, please keep me from engaging in useless arguments with others. Rather, help me to strive for peace. Give me a heart of humility, and let me be willing to lower myself so that others may be lifted up.
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