“Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:17-18)
Christians are so . . . .
How do you think most people would finish that sentence? How about your friends who are not Christians (if you have any)? How about the people in your school, at work, in your town, in your extended family?
One thing I’ve noticed about us Christians is that we tend to like talking about how Jesus said the world will hate us because it hated him. But we don’t tend to talk as much about verses like these that tell us we had better not give anyone any valid reasons to hate us.
These are commands: Be careful to do what is right (noble, beautiful, honorable) in the eyes of everyone. And make sure you are never the reason someone is not living at peace with you.
Think: Would most of the people in your life say that you tend to do what is noble or honorable most of the time? Would they say that you do your best to be at peace with everyone?
Pray: Ask God to help you to live at peace with everyone, as far as it depends on you.
Do: Make a quick list of two people you are not (or might not be) at peace with. Make a quick plan to make peace with each of them this week, as much as it depends on you.