Weekend, April 29, 2023
In Pursuit of Peace
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18 NLT)
Sometimes you can’t live peaceably with some people. They’re ill-tempered and don’t want to get along with anyone, including you.
That is why the Bible says, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NLT). Notice the phrase “do all that you can.” That means you make the effort.
Jesus said, “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God” (Matthew 5:23-24 NLT).
For instance, let’s say that someone has wronged you and you’re angry about it. You’re at church worshipping, but you can’t stop thinking about what they did to you. Something is wrong. It’s hindering your prayer life.
You need to go to that person and try to resolve the conflict. It may be just a misunderstanding. Maybe you say, “The other day you made this comment, and this is the way I took it. Is that how you meant it?”
“Of course not!” they reply. “The last thing I want to do is offend you!”
On the other hand, they might tell you that is exactly what they meant and then say something even worse to offend you. What do you do then?
You’ve done what you were supposed to do. If they don’t want to reconcile with you, then it has become their problem. Put it into the hands of God, and pray for them. If they want to stay mad at you, then let it go.
When you’ve made the effort, when you’ve tried to reconcile, you can know that you’ve done your part. And you can come before God with a clean conscience.
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