Friday, June 7

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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.  - Romans 12:17-18

These two verses are relatively easy to say, but they are not always so easy or simple to put into action.  Take a few moments to reflect on the following list of applications for how we are to live peaceably with all people.

1. Living peaceably means thinking through our response before we react.

When Paul says that we should take thought for what is right in the sight of all people, he does not mean that we should determine our behavior by public opinion. Public opinion may run contrary to God’s Word. Rather, he means that we should think about our testimony to a watching world. What idea of the Christian faith will the world form when it sees or hears about how we responded to the wrong that was done to us?

2. You may wonder, what should I do if I’ve already blown it? 

Maybe you didn’t stop to think about how you should respond and so you exploded in anger at a difficult neighbor or family member. You pretty much ruined your testimony. Now what?  The answer is, humble yourself, go to the person you wronged, and ask forgiveness. Don’t try to use your apology to witness to him, because he will think you’re just apologizing so that you can give him the religious pitch. Just ask forgiveness and leave it with him to ask about your faith.

3. All your efforts may or may not result in peace, but peace should be your aim.

Sometimes in spite of all that we do, the other person does not want to make peace. He’s mad at God and you represent God to him. But Paul’s point is, don’t provoke a quarrel by your obnoxious behavior and then claim that you’re being persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Bend over backwards to make peace. Let the difficult person know that you want to be on friendly terms. If he/she continually rejects it, then resolve to simply pray for God to reach them.  I should also add that seeking peace does not include compromising key biblical truth for the sake of peace.

4. Living peaceably includes kind, loving deeds to meet the needs of your enemy.

Romans 12:20: “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink ....”  Feeding your enemy or giving him a drink represents all kind deeds that you can do to meet your enemy’s needs. Deeds often speak louder than words.

During a time of terrible atrocities in Armenia, a Turkish soldier pursued a young woman and her brother down a street. He cornered them and then mercilessly shot the brother and let the sister go free, but only after she saw her brother’s brutal murder.
Later, the woman was working as a nurse in a military hospital when the Turkish soldier who had shot her brother was brought into her ward. He was critically wounded and if she had left him alone, he would have died. At first, she wrestled with the desire for vengeance. But she realized that the Lord wanted her to treat this man with kindness, so she gently nursed him back to health.

One day the Turk, who recognized her, said, “Why didn’t you let me die?” She replied, “I am a follower of Jesus and He said, ‘Love your enemies.’” The man was silent for a long time, but finally said, “I never knew that anyone could have such a faith. If that’s what it does, tell me more about it. I want it.”
So the hard questions that this Scripture leaves us with are, have I paid back evil with evil to anyone? Is this my pattern with my spouse?  Is this the way I deal with my kids? How are my relationships with my extended family?  Is this how I deal with difficult people at work or in my neighborhood? 

If so, first ask God’s forgiveness. Then figure out a way to ask forgiveness of those you have wronged.  Next, ask God to give you His heart for that person, and ask Him help you see how you can bless them.  

Jeff Frazier