My lesson is titled “Can we live
peacefully with all men?”
Romans 12: 18 says: If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (New King James Version)
The CEB (Common English Bible) states it this way: If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people.
The Reformation Study Bible referencing “live peaceably with all men” says The Christian is a peacemaker by obligation and aim. Harmony is not always possible, since truth divides as well as unites. Paul’s double qualification (“If. . . so far as”) recognizes this, but the obligation to strive for peace in personal relations with others remains.
In order to understand this scripture, we need to know what was going on during the Biblical time that Paul wrote this. Romans’ was written around A.D. 57; Paul was very concerned about the everyday Christian life, thus the reason for Chapters 12-15. These 3 Chapters speak of Righteous behavior, and if it was being practiced. Practicing Jews during that time believed in the Mosaic Law, and they felt that the Gentiles should follow the laws as they did. So Paul wrote Romans to show the Jews that God rests fundamentally on the mercy of Christ and NOT on the Law of Moses. We are justified solely because of Christ’s sacrifice which was out of the goodness of his heart to forgive people’s sins.
Now that we have established why Romans was written, let’s look at the reason Paul writes verse 18-that we are to keep peace with all men if possible. Christians/Disciples are like family, we need to respect each other, love each other. The Greek word for this kind of love, is “agape” which means love in a spiritual sense and refers to a deeper since of love that we call “true unconditional love” this love is selfless.
Christians must do everything possible to encourage *peace. It may not be possible always to live in a quiet manner. Enemies may oppose us, even when we are behaving well. And sometimes it is right for us to protest against wicked acts. As Christians we must do everything we can to avoid quarrels. We are concerned with a spiritual relation as members of Christ, and in the same church state; such should be at peace among themselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:13; peace should rule in their hearts, Colossians 3:15, and they should study to keep "the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace", Ephesians 4:3: Make every effort to keep unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Saints should live peacefully in their neighborhoods, towns, cities, and countries, where they dwell. We should show ourselves to be the quiet in the land; we should pray for the peace in the place where we live; and do all that we can to promote it (peace), by living ourselves, peacefully and quietly, in all godliness and honesty; we should live peacefully with even our very enemies, "if it be possible"; which is rightly put in some cases it is not only impracticable, but would be unlawful; as when it cannot be done consistent with holiness of life and conversation, with the edification of others, the truths of the Gospel, the interest of religion, and the glory of God; these are things that are never to be sacrificed for the sake of peace with men: the apostle adds another limitation of this rule, "as much as depends on you"; for more than this is not required of us; nothing should be wanting on our parts; every step should be taken to cultivate and maintain peace; the blame should lie wholly on the other side; it becomes the saints to live peacefully themselves, if others will not .
The person who loves God must labor after this, it is necessary for his own sake. A man cannot have misunderstandings with others, without having his own peace disturbed: to be happy we MUST be at peace with all men, whether they will be at peace with us or not. The apostle knew that it would be difficult to get into and maintain such a state of peace, and his own words amply prove: And if it be possible, as much as depends on you live peaceably. Though it is barely possible, labor after it. If it’s possible it can be done. So as far as we are concerned, we are to seek peace, we are not answerable for other people, but we are answerable for our own conduct.
There are many other scriptures pertaining to asking God things IF you believe, but that is another lesson.
Here are some scriptures on keeping peace for you to read during the week
2 Corinthians 13:11 - Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Ephesians 4:3 - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Stated above)
1 Thessalonians 5:13 - Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
James 3:16 - Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
1 Peter 3:11 - They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
In conclusion - Can we live at peace with all men?
1. Yes we can live peacefully with all men, as long as it does not go against the word of God. There are limitations to this, know the limitations and the scriptures concerning thing.
2. Below are some examples of what we cannot be tolerant of because these sins go against God and his word.
a. Homosexuality
b. Abortion
c. Politically correct –here’s the definition of political correctness; the avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.”
Though political correctness is NOT a sin, it does condone it, thus it is wrong for a Christian to be politically correct in today’s society.
Today’s society seems to put a different spin on political correctness by telling us that we need to accept sin, or just turn away from it. These types of sins go against the grain of God and cannot be tolerated by believers; we must stand on the Lord’s side regardless of what the world thinks of us. But we do NOT have to argue with them either, but merely state our point and what God says about these things.
There are many other sins that we cannot tolerate or condone I just listed these three since they seem to be the ones that are more relevant in today’s society.
So let’s strive to do the will of God and seek peace whenever possible. I fall short of this myself and I pray that I will adhere to the word of God, but also not be tolerant of such things that are intolerant to God. I pray that he will give us the discernment and the wisdom to know the difference and if we lack wisdom or knowledge God says we just need to ask for it. Sometime we seem to forget that all we need to do is ask for God’s help. John 14:4 - You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (NIV) John 16:24 - Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (NIV)
May the God of peace dwell in you richly
Romans 12: 18 says: If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (New King James Version)
The CEB (Common English Bible) states it this way: If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people.
The Reformation Study Bible referencing “live peaceably with all men” says The Christian is a peacemaker by obligation and aim. Harmony is not always possible, since truth divides as well as unites. Paul’s double qualification (“If. . . so far as”) recognizes this, but the obligation to strive for peace in personal relations with others remains.
In order to understand this scripture, we need to know what was going on during the Biblical time that Paul wrote this. Romans’ was written around A.D. 57; Paul was very concerned about the everyday Christian life, thus the reason for Chapters 12-15. These 3 Chapters speak of Righteous behavior, and if it was being practiced. Practicing Jews during that time believed in the Mosaic Law, and they felt that the Gentiles should follow the laws as they did. So Paul wrote Romans to show the Jews that God rests fundamentally on the mercy of Christ and NOT on the Law of Moses. We are justified solely because of Christ’s sacrifice which was out of the goodness of his heart to forgive people’s sins.
Now that we have established why Romans was written, let’s look at the reason Paul writes verse 18-that we are to keep peace with all men if possible. Christians/Disciples are like family, we need to respect each other, love each other. The Greek word for this kind of love, is “agape” which means love in a spiritual sense and refers to a deeper since of love that we call “true unconditional love” this love is selfless.
Christians must do everything possible to encourage *peace. It may not be possible always to live in a quiet manner. Enemies may oppose us, even when we are behaving well. And sometimes it is right for us to protest against wicked acts. As Christians we must do everything we can to avoid quarrels. We are concerned with a spiritual relation as members of Christ, and in the same church state; such should be at peace among themselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:13; peace should rule in their hearts, Colossians 3:15, and they should study to keep "the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace", Ephesians 4:3: Make every effort to keep unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Saints should live peacefully in their neighborhoods, towns, cities, and countries, where they dwell. We should show ourselves to be the quiet in the land; we should pray for the peace in the place where we live; and do all that we can to promote it (peace), by living ourselves, peacefully and quietly, in all godliness and honesty; we should live peacefully with even our very enemies, "if it be possible"; which is rightly put in some cases it is not only impracticable, but would be unlawful; as when it cannot be done consistent with holiness of life and conversation, with the edification of others, the truths of the Gospel, the interest of religion, and the glory of God; these are things that are never to be sacrificed for the sake of peace with men: the apostle adds another limitation of this rule, "as much as depends on you"; for more than this is not required of us; nothing should be wanting on our parts; every step should be taken to cultivate and maintain peace; the blame should lie wholly on the other side; it becomes the saints to live peacefully themselves, if others will not .
The person who loves God must labor after this, it is necessary for his own sake. A man cannot have misunderstandings with others, without having his own peace disturbed: to be happy we MUST be at peace with all men, whether they will be at peace with us or not. The apostle knew that it would be difficult to get into and maintain such a state of peace, and his own words amply prove: And if it be possible, as much as depends on you live peaceably. Though it is barely possible, labor after it. If it’s possible it can be done. So as far as we are concerned, we are to seek peace, we are not answerable for other people, but we are answerable for our own conduct.
There are many other scriptures pertaining to asking God things IF you believe, but that is another lesson.
Here are some scriptures on keeping peace for you to read during the week
2 Corinthians 13:11 - Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Ephesians 4:3 - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Stated above)
1 Thessalonians 5:13 - Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
James 3:16 - Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
1 Peter 3:11 - They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
In conclusion - Can we live at peace with all men?
1. Yes we can live peacefully with all men, as long as it does not go against the word of God. There are limitations to this, know the limitations and the scriptures concerning thing.
2. Below are some examples of what we cannot be tolerant of because these sins go against God and his word.
a. Homosexuality
b. Abortion
c. Politically correct –here’s the definition of political correctness; the avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.”
Though political correctness is NOT a sin, it does condone it, thus it is wrong for a Christian to be politically correct in today’s society.
Today’s society seems to put a different spin on political correctness by telling us that we need to accept sin, or just turn away from it. These types of sins go against the grain of God and cannot be tolerated by believers; we must stand on the Lord’s side regardless of what the world thinks of us. But we do NOT have to argue with them either, but merely state our point and what God says about these things.
There are many other sins that we cannot tolerate or condone I just listed these three since they seem to be the ones that are more relevant in today’s society.
So let’s strive to do the will of God and seek peace whenever possible. I fall short of this myself and I pray that I will adhere to the word of God, but also not be tolerant of such things that are intolerant to God. I pray that he will give us the discernment and the wisdom to know the difference and if we lack wisdom or knowledge God says we just need to ask for it. Sometime we seem to forget that all we need to do is ask for God’s help. John 14:4 - You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (NIV) John 16:24 - Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (NIV)
May the God of peace dwell in you richly