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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

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