If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. — Romans 12:18
I’ll never forget him. We worked together for a few years. He professed to be a Christian, but he was one of the most challenging people to get along with. Every time you spoke to him the conversation was confrontational. He struggled with his superiors and just seemed miserable.
Of course our nature is for us to try to figure out what is wrong with people like this or to simply avoid them. Unfortunately, avoidance was not an option. I had to interact with this person every day I was at work. It was a constant struggle and often led to heated conversations around our workplace.
There are times it seems that others do not want to get along no matter what you do. You can say the right things, help the right ways, and everything possible, but they just want to fight and argue. It can happen at work, at home, or even in our churches.
As frustrating and discouraging as it can be, the Bible is clear on our role as Christians in relation to others. Our desire should not be to have constant disagreement, but rather to try to remain peaceful. This verse says that if it is at all possible and with all of our being we should strive for peace.
We cannot control what others do, but we can control ourselves. As Christians, we should live our lives in a manner to not provoke controversy and disagreements. We should do everything we can to set the example of peace. That does not mean setting our convictions and morals aside, but rather living a life that shows the example of Christ in us. It can be a challenge when others don’t want to get along. Don’t provoke and don’t give in, live the example of peace!
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