Skip to main content

Live At Peace

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

This is a powerful chapter in Romans on living with one another.  I had a hard time picking out a single verse to use as my focus.  I chose this one because I feel like it encapsulates the message of chapter 12. Living at peace with others seems so easy to do.  We often equate peace with a lack of physical violence.  That is definitely one type of peace.  But as I read this chapter, I can't help but think that Paul was talking about peace in a much deeper sense.  He talks about loving with sincerity, honoring each other, and doing what is Godly.  This is not about physical violence.  Our words and thoughts are so much more potent than our actions at times.  We stir up animosity with our comments and opinions.  We share our point of view, which can come off very pointed, and justify it by connecting it to some belief we have because we are Christian.  This is an issue.  We are not living in peace when we "rant and rave" our thoughts or opinions, no matter how "right" we may be.  Jesus knew the truth about himself.  He knew who he was.  He knew he had done nothing to deserve death, yet he was incredibly peaceful as he journeyed to Calvary.  Oh, and he didn't just "tolerate" his accusers and torturers, he actually loved them.  Just an extra thought to ponder.  -"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.  Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord. This is God's word through Ezekiel in the Valley of the Dry Bones.  There are a couple of thoughts that come to mind with this verse.  First, I have to admit that sometimes I feel as though I have dry bones.  I continue on my path and lose sight of the One who brings life. At times I am surrounded by things, people, or situations that suck the life out of me and I need the breath of life from the Spirit again.  It is a conscious effort for me to not involve myself in things that are life taking.  I make the decision to spend alone time with Jesus in order to experience His life giving power.  Second, one word in particular stands out to me in this verse.  It is the word settle.  It is speaking to me today of a peace and calm that is ahead.  Things ha...
1 comment
Read more

Channels Only

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. Our treasure is the Spirit of God and the jar of clay is our earthly body.  In this section of scripture Paul is explaining to the people of Corinth that they are a channel for God to shine through and that through Jesus we will never be separated from God again.  At the hospice house, Liz, my sister, sat down and played Channels Only on the piano.  This is a song that has deep and lasting meaning for my family, but today I instantly thought of my mother lying in the bed in the next room and felt the truth in the words of that song.  Tears began to stream as I recognized to the fullest extent what it means to be a channel for God.  It is my prayer. Channels Only by Mary E. Maxwell How I praise Thee, precious Savior, That Thy love laid hold of me; Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me  That I might Thy channel be. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Signs of His Work

Joshua 4:6 to serve as a sign among you.  In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' I realize this is a very fragmented verse, but go with it.  This got me to thinking.  What are the stones in my life that serve as signs of God's work in my life?  I am not a big fan of material items because I don't really care about stuff.  It's just that, stuff.  So, I've had to think a little harder about this.  The obvious sign of God's current work is the tennis bracelet I wear in memory of Mom.  Other obvious signs that might include my Bible, Dalton's grandmother's wedding ring, and my wedding ring.  However, if I think of the things in my life that are the most evident of God's work, it would be the stories of the different journeys God and I have been on together.  The story of how I got my current job and the multitude of "God things" that surrounded that moment.  The story of a college friend telling me, "...
Post a Comment
Read more