Christians: Regarding Romans 12:18...?

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.

God bless <)))><

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.

So, it is a choice on the believer.

Shalom,

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.

This is one of my favorite verses from God's word. If we say we are living in such a way as to not annoy anyone intentionally that is stopping short of the spirit of what God intended. Living at peace with others is to live in a peaceful way and to not keep a tally of issues or hold grudges with another. How can you live at peace if you keep count of another's faults, offenses, etc. Understand thought that there is no way we can live so as to NEVER cause strife with another; many times people find offenses in their own minds, not by anything we've actually done. Live as to be peaceful with all. To know what is right and to do it not is a sin.

Romans 2:5-6 does not stand alone. the bible is a very big and detailed book and u must know that there are other supporting scriptures to go along with that particular scripture.. For salvation the key to the hidden treasure is LOVE, and then you must also confess with your mouth and beleive in your heart that JC is the son, he died and rose again and now sits in heaven with GOD -The father.... salvation does not come by works alone. the bible also says the lord will indeed search the reighns of the heart. NOw this is pretty simple and it is all that is required....That factor u speak of is LOVE.. if you conquer love then you dont have to worryabout any works that u do, b/c everything you do, think, feel, and say will be done in love. love is the centerpiece that holds everything else together.Besides, after i read this scripture this is talking about when man is judged not salvation.. the bible says every man will be judged according to the works done in the flesh, whether they beleive or not.. that does not reference for salvation moreso, that everything in the dark shall be brought to the light!

I like to think what God wants for His children. I think this is about who we are,

who we become. If we DON'T do this, what happens to us? If we don't try to live

at peace with all men, then what changes do we make? We are always changing.

Am I getting closer to Jesus, or further away? What must I actually DO to live

at peace with all men, ie. when it is up to me?

Is it always up to me? No it isn't. So, if it isn't up to me, then what? I see that

I try to do my part to be peaceful. Because if I'm not peaceful, then what? Isn't

it a state of strife and war?

Paul goes on to discuss an extreme case, an enemy. Imagine if I don't help my

enemy, but 'harden my heart'? Won't it harden my heart? And won't they then

have something 'on me'? They already think I am *** and a real ***, so won't this

prove that to them?

In doing the opposite thing, I am countering their coldness with heat. Something's

going to happen. To them, to the situation, but most of all to my heart.

i can tell you how I handled it: There was one very mean, vile, nasty person who never neglected to give me a hard time every chance she could. I ignored it. I never gave up on any of my own principles, but I was determined to simply pretend I never got her evil messages. I smiled, said hello, asked how she was feeling and if there was anything I could do. I invited her to dinner. Finally, I think I wore her down. She started to go to church, actually has friendly conversations from time to time. That is all I know for now; only God knows her true heart.

You could use that as an excuse to become complacent and lazy.

Doing what is right is always going to cause problems for those who want to do what is wrong!