Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Do you limit the part about "as much as depends on you" to NOT doing things that would cause strife?
It's like, if there is a person in your life that is difficult to get along with, do you ever say to yourself, "OK, I'm not going to do anything that might upset them, I'm going to be a nice person. So I've done my part to obey God and now it's up to them to live peaceably with me" and fail to go on to do what the rest of the passage says?"
Romans 12:20 Therefore "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
2011-11-09T10:21:39Z
Okay, whats your question? Peace
My question has to do with how sometimes we might think that living in peace with other people only means NOT doing something to upset that peace instead of taking measures to do good to people who are difficult to be around like the Bible says to do.
Time and Chance Eccl 9: 112011-11-09T15:19:19Z
Favorite Answer
If you want Gods' blessing on your life and you want to be known as a child of God then you must learn to be a peacemaker. (Rick Warren - the Purpose Driven Life)
This means taking a pro-active role not just being a bystander; Jesus said in Matthew 5: 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." Jesus didn't say blessed are the peacelovers nor did he say blessed are the peaceable.
The words of the Master tell us that blessed are those who work for peace; who actively strive to resolve conflict and to let Gods' love shine through all adversity.
These days we hear the phrase "No use just Talking the Talk, you also gotta Walk the walk" quite a lot. quite simply when I was kid my grandma used to say "Practise what you preach" and it means the same thing.
We are born into imperfection, and unless your perfect you will be able to obey above passages. In his statement found at Romans 12:18, Paul goes beyond the need to be peaceable but also within the family circle and in the congregation. He says that we should be “peaceable with all men.” That includes neighbors, fellow employees, schoolmates, and people we meet in our public ministry. The apostle qualifies his counsel, however, saying: “If possible, as far as it depends upon you.” That means doing all we reasonably can to be “peaceable with all” but not to the extent of compromising God’s righteous principles. Eventually, all of faithful mankind who do not have a heavenly hope will enjoy “the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21) Only the peaceable can have such a hope. The Greek word for “peaceable” literally means “peacemakers.” There is often a difference between being peaceful—at peace—and being peaceable. Being peaceable in the Scriptural sense implies actively promoting peace, sometimes making peace where it was previously lacking.
Paul commanded, Do not repay anyone evil for evil (1Pe_3:9). On the positive side Christians are to do what is right (“beautiful,” used here in the ethical sense of good, noble, and honorable). Paul then commanded believers, Live at peace with everyone (“live in harmony with one another,” Rom_12:16).
But recognizing that limits exist, Paul included the words, If it is possible, as far as it depends on you. Harmony with others may not always be achievable, but believers should not be responsible for that lack of peace (Mat_5:9).
Anyway, the Kingdom principles are always the very opposite of the world system. For instance: The world said, if you give, you will be diminished. But God Kingdom said the opposite: If you give, you will end up more. The world said: Your sins may be forgiven but never forgotten. So, a criminal will always have problem to live a normal life, on earth, because his crime will be a shadow to him forever. The devils like to bring out our past sins. While God Kingdom said: your sins forgiven and forgotten, and have been purged clean as white as snow, and as far as the east to the west.
Good reminder! Yes, we will do the right thing if we give the problem to the Lord. My sister in law seems to have an harassing demon and I wouldn't want to be around her at all except my brother insists on visiting and she insists on always being there to make sure I don't convince him anything on spiritual issues. She also acts like I owe her everything and she gets everything turned upside down. There's more to it than that, but after I prayed I gave her a big (late) bday gift which she liked a lot and wrote a note to thank me for each item. Now she says she and my brother are passing out Bibles---not sure if that's connected with it at all, but just another outcome.
This Passage is challenging to many Christians as though it is not mentioned, Requires a good deal of patience. Live peaceably with all men reminds us that though we are in contrast to the world, we do not seek out contention. If it is possible, we will be at peace with all men.
“If it be possible indicates that it may not always be possible.” (A Quote from Murray)
Do not avenge yourselves: The one who trusts in God will not think it necessary to avenge themselves. They will leave the issue of vengeance to God, and give place to wrath - giving no place to their own wrath, and a wide place to God’s wrath.
With this mind-set, we will do good to our enemies, looking for the most practical ways we can help them. This is the way we are not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Is the heaping coals of fire on his head something good in the eyes of our enemy or is it something bad? It most likely refers to a “burning conviction” that our kindness places on our enemy. Or, some think it refers to the practice of lending coals from a fire to help a neighbor start their own - an act of kindness that would be appreciated.
Nevertheless, we see that we can destroy our enemy by making him our friend.