Verse of the Day - Romans 12:18

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
~ Romans 12:18 (NIV)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I love it in the movies when two men are fighting in mortal combat, the evil adversary against the noble hero, and the bad guy loses his weapon or his footing, and ends up with a blade at his throat or a gun to his head. He knows he's finished, done-for, a dead man. His enemy would be a fool not to finish him off. And yet, the good guy always lays down his weapon, and lets his adversary live. That's called grace and peace.

Evil can't comprehend the gestures of grace and peace, because it runs on a different set of rules...

~ Get all you can, no matter who you hurt...
~ Do unto others, before they do unto you...
~ Pay back evil for evil, for vengeance is mine, says me...

The destruction caused by self-promotion, retribution and vengeance can't be underestimated. It tears individuals, families, communities, and the entire world apart. When people, in their desire for wealth or happiness or revenge or control, take up evil weapons...pride, bitterness, malice, envy, greed, slander...there is no peace. It is war.

Jesus talked about peace. About laying down those evil weapons, refusing to pick up our carnal inclinations toward elevating ourselves and oppressing others. About allowing God to deal with those who seek to do us in. About using the bandages of love, instead of the blade of hate.

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. ~ Jesus, in Luke 6:27-36

In this world, there are going to be people you just can't get along with, people who just won't be peaceful with you. But as far as it is possible with you, be at peace with all men, by the power of God at work within you. Many frozen hearts have been melted by God's love when His people have demonstrated grace and peace in response to hardness and antagonism.

"God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God." ~ Matthew 5:9

Love,
Joelene