Across the Preacher’s Desk: Is Living Peaceably Possible?

April 8, 2021 - We are living is turbulent times. Our political landscape has become a minefield and it seems that every day the rhetoric becomes more hateful and divisive. Yet, there is a very significant passage of scripture from Paul in Romans chapter 12. Paul tells how we should treat each other. He tells us to be kindly affectioned toward each other, to bless them that persecute us, to rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those who are weeping. He then writes this very meaningful statement in verse 18: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Have you ever thought, really thought about that passage? Paul wants us to understand there will be people we cannot get along with. There will be people we cannot be popular with. There will be people who just plain do not like us.

If we are honest, this should not come as a great shock to us. You see, to be truthful, none of us completely likes everything about the way we are. Perhaps that is one of the great tragedies of all our electronic gadgetry in the 21st Century, at least it is for me personally. With the internet, it is relatively easy for me to listen to myself preach. Listening to myself, I have to admit I have heard preachers I would rather listen to. So, when someone indicates they do not like my preaching, I sometimes am inclined to admire their judgment.

Yet, Paul says we are to live peaceably with others as much as possible. That means we are to understand the Body of Christ, the Church, is bigger than any individual and more important than any individual. That means we must turn loose of the idea that “it’s all about me” and realize it is all about the Lord. Until we do that, we will never please the Lord and the Church will never thrive and prosper the way the Lord wants it to.

It’s something to think about … tbp
Center Church of Christ
110 Hurst Street
Center, Texas