As Far As It Depends Upon You

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  (Romans 12:17-18)

If we’re reading this thinking, “Everyone?” or “Impossible!” then we may just be right if Jesus on the Cross isn’t at the forefront of our mindset.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matt 19:26

Our ability to be like Jesus in the heat of the battle, however challenging it may be starts with the understanding of just why exactly Jesus came to die for us and a constant awareness of our mission. By recalling His great passion, it fortifies us with such gratitude, a love for Him so real and true that we don’t want our neighbor to miss seeing Him because of us. We don’t want to be the deliberate cause of unresolved angst and brokenness in our relationships. We don’t want to help the devil steal, kill, and destroy, so ideally we do all that we can to avoid making a tense situation worse.

“…as far as it depends upon you…”

But what about when we fall short? What about the many times we repeatedly fail, especially with those who have the ability to push our buttons the most?

“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19)

Then consider the following and make the necessary adjustments.

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Cor 10:13

 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14)

Through consistent genuinely fervent prayer we’ll receive the grace necessary to keep our wounds, frustrations, and impatience in perspective; considering what is at stake, what matters most.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Only with a heart filled with love for Jesus, for what he’s done for us, will we be able to live at peace with everyone.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13