Read Romans 12:18

To live in peace is quite hard to do. Especially when you disagree with the person next to you. I think about my work environment and just how I am constantly striving to live in peace with everyone I come in contact with because, to me, I am striving to represent my Savior. But, man, is that hard! It’s hard not to be upset, it’s hard not to allow your flesh to win over with frustration and anger. However, in order to be the living sacrifice, in order to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we must live in peace with those around us.

Now this does NOT mean we need to agree with everything everyone says. This does NOT mean that we can let everyone walk over us. What this DOES mean is that, when we disagree, when people need us, we approach it with the eyes of Jesus. We approach people with respect and love. No matter what.

I love what the NLT translation says in verse 9:  “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”

The Lord wants us to act in a holy manner. The Lord wants us to look different in the world around us. Why? So that people look at us and think:

“Why are they different?”
“What do they have that I don’t?”
“I want what they have!”

And when they feel and think that, they start to ask questions to get to know us and that is our opportunity to share Jesus. Especially in today’s world, when we live in a peaceful manner, we look different. When we live acting as the hands and feet of Jesus, we look different. We are holy.

I challenge you to read all of chapter 12 in Romans and go before the Lord to ask how your life can represent Him more and begin to make those changes.

I am fully convinced the only way that we can live in a peaceful manner among our circles is to know more of who Jesus is. Once we do that, once we dive deeper into His character and get to know what He loves and how He lives, we can start to follow His example with those around us.

The Lord does not ask us to be perfect;  He asks us to strive to be like Him and, though He WAS perfect, we have the grace to continue to try when we mess up.

All He expects is that we repent, turn 180 and continue to follow after Him.

Kelly Lawson