Living at Peace

DEVOTION
ROMANS
LIVING AT PEACE

Rom 12:17-18
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
NIV
When I am cut off on the highway, is that evil? When someone insults me, is that evil? When a person ignores me or simply is not nice to me, is that evil or injurious? What exactly counts as evil? Am I splitting hairs here, looking for some excuse to behave badly toward another? I think so. The whole of all this should simply speak to my heart in the sense of not being reactive but rather pro active. I should not allow other people to dictate my emotional, spiritual and mental state. If I am living or walking in the Spirit than I am subject to His influence rather than the influence of other people in regards to my responses. How I fail at this so much baffles me beyond no end. I know better, yet I still fail. Why is this? Is it due to an over exaggerated opinion of myself? Is it due to the basic and simply fact of my being selfish? Is it because I am just self-centered, always being concerned about me? I dare not answer those questions for I might not like the answer. What I do know is this verse does demand my efforts to put others before myself. God is speaking into my being the truth of correct behavior toward others. As far as it depends on me, but does He also give me an out when He says, “If it is possible”? What does He mean, if it is possible? Does that imply it may not be possible? Or does it mean it will be very difficult and will require a great deal of submitting to His influence upon me? Whichever the case, I am required to set my mind on this path. I am required to put forth all the effort I have to live at peace with others. Not just other believers, but with everyone. Is living at peace the same as being agreeable with everyone? That is not to have a difference of opinions and discuss those differences? I think not. To live at peace in the Greek implies to act peacefully toward everyone. That speaks of not being mean, or irritating. It implies a difference can exist, but how I approach and speak regarding those differences must be in a peaceful manner. Again I fail all too often at this as well. Lord Help me, influence my being, my spirit whenever those situations arise. Help me to be the witness of your love and your peace.