February 2003
"Live in harmony with one another…If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:16 a, 18)
I appreciate these verses because it recognizes that peace doesn’t always depend on me. There are plenty of victims out there that did nothing to contribute to the crimes against them. Have you ever known a person, maybe at school or in the neighborhood, that just seems to hate you and you can’t think of a single thing you did to make the person mad? It can be so frustrating… and worse, if they taunt, tease, or continually harass you. Know that you are not the first to experience this. In fact, some of the very first Christians felt this way, too. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Sometimes, people can be cruel to us just because we are trying to do what is right, trying to be nice to everyone, and staying away from the things we know are bad.
I once heard a pastor say that we should pray for the people that we just can’t seem to get along with because it is really hard to punch someone in the nose if we’ve just been on our knees praying for them! I think it would also make it harder for us to return their cruelty with unkind words or gossip. Matthew 5:44 tells us that Jesus said, "But I tell you: Love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you." I used to think we should pray for them so God could turn them into nicer people, but you know, I think we are supposed to pray for them because that will grow in our hearts the strength that we need to go "as far as it depend on us" to live with peace with everyone.