Good Morning All!!
Romans 12:18; “If possible, so far as it depends on
you, live peaceably with all.”
I have been reading in the news and on
various blog sites about how “unchristian” Christians are. Each writer or commentator takes umbrage at
one thing or another. I find it
interesting that people, who by their own admission are not Christians, are such
authorities on being Christian. I
certainly don’t know exactly what it means to be Muslim, Jewish, Hindu or
Buddhist. I guess I have the same amount
of knowledge about being one of these other adherents as the non-Christian does
about being a Christian; I know enough to get myself in trouble claiming to
know.
Yet, despite the shrillness of others who are clueless, we as Christians
should always take a measure of ourselves to make sure we are living as Jesus’
followers. Within our understanding,
this is living the sanctified life. We are
already God’s children. We are justified
by the blood of Jesus, declared holy and righteous because of his
sacrifice. Jesus gives to us his
righteousness in exchange for our sin.
Thus we are now new creatures, holy before God. So what does this mean in our everyday
life? Since we are changed from our
sinfulness to God’s holiness, our actions are not as this world lives but as
God’s Spirit would have us live.
The Apostle Paul writes of this often in his epistles. It is an attempt to answer the question, “Now
I am a Christian, now what?” Our verse
for today is part of a larger segment in the book of Romans that Paul addresses
this question. In the book of Romans
especially chapter 12 and in many ways chapter 13 speaks of how we should act
as Christians. Paul tells us to be
living sacrifices to God, using the gifts that he gives using gladly spreading
the Good News of Jesus. In all of our
actions and deeds, we are to show the love that God shows us to others.
Our verse addresses what seems to be an issue in our nation today. There seems to be a greater level of
incivility in the world. It seems to be
hostile and angry about everything. Paul
admonishes us to live peaceably with all.
As best as we can, as much as we can that depends on us, live peaceably
with your neighbors. Share God’s love,
we don’t have to argue or spend a lot of time explaining our faith, especially
to those who only seek to attack.
Scriptures tells us the best way to communicate our faith is to live
it. To those who look to our actions of
love and want to learn more; it is an invitation. To those who hate and only want to attack and
destroy, our actions of love are as burning coals on his head. Treating your enemy with love goes against
everything the world believes and confuses and confounds the unbeliever; it
speaks to the love of God for the lost world.
Father
in heaven, give me the wisdom to live peaceably with my neighbor. Give me the understanding and the nature to
seek to share your mercy. Guide me by
your Spirit that I may love as you love and live with a zeal for your
service. Lead me to those in need of
your grace. Move my heart to have
compassion as you do. In the precious
name of Jesus we pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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