“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18 ESV
If I could describe what I was taught as a child in one verse, this one would probably be it. From a very young age, I remember my parents constantly telling me to create peace and live in peace. I want to break apart this idea some and discuss the importance of living in peace with all.
LIVE peaceably with all.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 1 Thessalonians 3:15
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19 NIV
We should constantly strive to create peace. It should just be part of who we are. As we are trying to grow into the likeness of Christ, we should be described as peacemakers. Paul tells us we are to have peace in Christ at all times, not just when it’s easy. I think as teenagers there is a lot of pressure to get involved in drama. Most of our peers are caught up in gossip, lies, and untrustworthy behavior. There is so much drama constantly going on around us, but we are called for better things. We are called to constantly live in peace.
Live PEACEABLY with all.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 ESV
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27
We don’t want the temporary peace that the world tries to offer when we can have the never-ending peace that Christ offers. We can have true peace when we let Christ’s peace rule in our hearts. And that peace, contentment and joy are so much better than anything we could come up with on our own.
Live peaceably with ALL.
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
We are to be at peace with even the most difficult of people. As Christians, we should create peace even when we have different opinions, and we’ve grown up with different traditions. We are to strive to live in peace with everyone, even people that still live in sin. But honestly, I think sometimes it is harder to create peace with brothers and sisters and Christ. I think in the church setting, we expect everything to think the same way as us. And when people may have different opinions, it is hard for us to live in peace. But Jesus was a peacemaker with all people, and we are called to do the same.
I want to encourage all of us to go through this week living peaceably with all. Remember how Jesus interacted with people and what he would do to create peace. Stay out of the drama. And get comfortable being a peacemaker. So much as depends on you, live peaceably with all.
In Christian Love,
Julianna
