As far as it depends on you

 As far as it depends on you.

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans wrote,

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone."

                                                                Romans 12:18

Here the apostle Paul simply asks us to do our best to live at peace with those around us. I think it can safely be said Paul knew that we wouldn’t always be able to live at peace with those around us. And not necessarily because of what we have done, but what others do to us.

No matter how hard you try sometimes those around you just don’t like you or what you have to say. This is especially true for Christians who are told to go and tell people about Jesus Christ and the saving grace that God offers through Him.

In many parts of the world Christians are persecuted, put in prison or even put to death for what they believe. But that is not because they have not made the effort to live in peace with those around them.

When it comes to North America where I live. Many who call themselves Christians are seen as trouble makers who want things all their own way. Frankly they abuse the freedoms they are given by the democratically elected government.

Many here in North America try to force their beliefs on others. They refuse to even listen to anything they don’t agree with. This is not how you live at peace with people.

It is possible to live at peace with those you disagree with without compromising your beliefs. I think Jesus proved this when he sat down with people the religious leaders labelled “tax collectors and sinners”.

In order for Jesus to sit down with people who didn’t share his views he had to at the very least to have shown respect for what they believed. 

Which is what we must do.

As I said living at peace with someone doesn’t mean you have to compromise your views it means respecting the views of others, then sitting down and having an open discussion.

We must remember that living in peace wins souls for Christ. Failure to live in peace with those around us has the potential to send someone into a Christless eternity.

Please think about it.