How do Christ-followers navigate in a world that has different values? I don’t know about you, but I face that question daily. What are my attitudes, behaviors, and actions towards others that range from slightly different to polar opposite?
Several scriptures speak to this dilemma. But there is one in particular that I find to be the most helpful. Near the end of Romans, Paul writes, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” (Romans 12:17–21, CSB)
There are several specific encouragements in this section. Don’t fight fire with fire. Have humility. Consider what is honorable in the eyes of others. Strive to live at peace with everyone. Don’t avenge but let God handle things. Provide for others, even if they are our enemy. Don’t be overwhelmed by evil, but overcome evil with good. Most of these are contrary to our emotions and sense of fairness.
I don’t have space to unpack them all today. Let’s look at one in particular. “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” There’s a practical edge to this verse. We can’t force peace, but we can walk with an attitude of peace even when our enemies would rather fight. Keep in mind that this isn’t about geopolitics but my personal attitudes towards others. How do I handle that family member who stirs contention? What do I do with the know-it-all at work or in the church? What about (fill in the blank)? On our side of the relationship, we are to strive for peace.
How can we do that? When we strive for peace with others we are mirroring God’s attitude, actions, and behavior towards us. We don’t deserve peace with God. We can’t earn it or purchase it. God’s peace towards us is an act of grace and mercy. It is that same grace and mercy that we are to extend to others, especially when they don’t deserve it. That doesn’t mean they’ll welcome it or accept it. But as far as it depends on me, I will offer it.
But they don’t deserve it! You may say. They probably don’t. In fact, I’m sure they don’t. And neither did I deserve God’s love, joy, peace, grace, and mercy – that’s the point. We want to focus on the faults of others, but the Bible always seeks to focus on ourselves. What is my attitude? How do I deal with others? Where do I need to change? Remember what Jesus taught – “Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3–5, CSB)
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