Romans 12:17-18 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
"Why can't we just get along?" Well, the simple answer is, because we choose not to. That really is the truth of the matter. We can make all kinds of excuses as to why we cannot get along with someone, and we may even be correct in our reasoning. However, when we look at relationships from Jesus' perspective, the bottom line is that we cannot get along with others because we choose not to be at peace with them. Our pride will not allow us to avoid repaying others with the same unkindness, betrayal, and cruelty, they treat us with. "After all, who are they to think they can just treat us that way, and get away with it?" Seems to me that God, very clearly, told us, "as much as depends on you, live peaceably with ALL men". No... "If it is at all possible," is not a loophole. That means that there is a good possibilty, that all our efforts may not convince the other person to live peaceably with us. Yet, that does not take away our reaponsibility to be at peace with them, and show them the love and kindness we are to show them as ambassadors of Jesus. I am not saying, by any stretch of the imagination, that this is, or will be, easy. What I am saying is that this is not impossible in Christ, as we have the Holy Spirit in us, to empower us and enable us to truly love our neighbor; even if they choose to be our enemy. Jesus never asks us to do something that He did not already do. He did not revile when He was reviled (1 Peter 2:23), and even went a step further and washed the feet of the one who betrayed Him (John 13:5). So, what is our excuse again in not living peaceably with others?
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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