Pursue Peace

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18 NLT

Have you watched a bee’s hive when it was hit with a stick? You can guess what happens. The whole hive instantly launches into a defensive attack mode to protect their colony!

This same response can happen with people as well. In Romans 12, Paul gives godly instruction for living a life that is pleasing to the Lord while living as Christians in a non-Christian world.

The Lord asks… that I live in peace with everyone.

A typical worldly response is, “Sure! As long as everyone agrees with me!”

As Paul gets to the end of the passage for the Christian, he narrows it down to how to get along with others who don’t agree with you. He actually takes it to the next level of getting along with those persecuting you for your faith.

This is when Paul says…

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18 NLT).

Then, in verses 19-21, he proceeds to say don’t pay the person back with evil or revenge. Instead, Paul wisely says to calm the person down who is persecuting you by sharing food and drink with them. Paul explains that the best way to conquer evil is by doing good.

This is not the typical worldly human response when wronged. Most people want to seek revenge and hit the other person back, which would provoke an attack similar to hitting the bee’s hive with a stick.

But as Christians, we are not most people.

Paul leads you and I to the Christian response that we are called to do in the power of the Holy Spirit.

This godly response teaches us how we can live in peace with everyone. And to live a life where the worldly see the Christian response is different… it is one that pursues peace.

Father, in the quiet of my heart, You speak to me whispering, “Child, I know it is hard to do, but there is wisdom in forgiveness and pursuing peace. Listen to My teachings.” Lord, help me trust You and live a life obedient to Your Word. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Stacy A. Davis