If possible, so far as
it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:18 ESV
Living peaceably, doesn't
that sound great? It is, and Paul says we can but it depends on us.
We as individuals are responsible to do our best to live peaceably
with everyone.
We cannot take
responsibility for how others live, we can only be responsible for
our own actions. But when you think of it, if every member of the
Lord's body tried to live peaceably with everyone else there would be
an incredible peace amongst God's people.
That being said, if there is
anything less then peace amongst God's people there has to be someone
not doing their best to live peaceably. When Paul makes statements
like this he is asking his readers to take a look at themselves to
see if they are doing their best. Statements like this one force us
to look inward and reevaluate our walk. Introspection is good for us.
Because, if we don't take time to look inward we don't see what God
sees. He knows our hearts. What Paul is doing is getting us to know
our hearts.
So today, let's look inward
and see what God sees. Is what He wants to see, in us? If not, we
need to make some changes. Living peaceably is far better than living
at odds with others. When we are at odds with others, we are at odds
with God. Not a good place to be.
© 2012 Leo J. Woodman
