Living Peaceably With All

8/28/2018

I love that this passage reminds me of the price of peace and the price of peacekeeping. We are to repay no one with evil. No one! Not even the people who we believe might deserve it. Instead, we are to meditate and give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all. We're called to live peaceable with ALL people. Not just those we like. Not just those who are like us. Not just those who are easy to get along with. All people!

Wow! This is a tough one. This passage clearly states to avenge a wrong, and who here hasn't been treated wrongly at some point, is not our job. It's not our duty. Not our calling. Not in our job description. That is totally the business of our Heavenly Father, our protector, or avenger.

So how do we live in peace with those who make our life difficult? This passage lays it out. Feed them, give them drink. Practically speaking, pray for them! PRAYER—that's my go-to, all-purpose tool in my toolbox for life. I mean how can I be angry with someone when I am seriously committed to uplifting them in prayer? That's just my simple way of overcoming evil with good!

"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:17-21

Do you struggle to live peaceably with all? Do you struggle with bitterness or unforgivingness? Checkout this post from earlier in the month There Are Worms in My Garden of Unforgivingness.

“There is no use in talking as if forgiveness were easy…For we find that the work of forgiveness has to be done over and over again.” —C.S. Lewis

Forgiveness is work, it's difficult work. At the same time though, it's a gift I give myself. When I forgive, I release myself to love that person as God loves that person and as He loves me.