Romans 12:18

New International Version (NIV)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

For Meditation

Abraham gives meaning to the scripture for today (Rm. 12:18); for it is uncommon to see people relinquish their rights for the interest of peace. But Abraham did.

He is the one God called away from his country, people, and father’s household to Canaan (Gen. 12:1). With compassion, he brought along his orphaned nephew, Lot. God blessed both of them and now their herdsmen were fighting over space for their increased flock (13:5-7). To avert a family squabble, Abraham suggested they separate. It was Abraham’s right to make the first choice, but for peace sake, he ceded to Lot and took the less preferred portion of the land (8-11). What a man!

Two things stand out here – absolute faith in God to give him the best out of any portion Lot left for him, and love for Lot himself. Abraham knew his God and trusted Him. Lot didn’t, and so he was guided by sight. Consequently, Abraham was able to sacrifice his interest for that of Lot for peace to prevail. That’s what God calls us to do: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rm. 12:18).

1. Are you a peacemaker?
2. Are you willing to give up your right for the sake of peace?
3. Have you forgotten how Christ put aside His prerogatives as God and stepped into our situation to save us (Phil. 2:6-8)?
4. Having been justified by faith in His finished sacrifice, have we not received peace with God in Christ (Rm. 5:1)?
5. Is it too much for Christ to ask us to share this peace (Rm. 12:18) by sacrificing our interests for that of others (Phil. 2:3-4) as Abraham did for Lot (Gen. 13:9)?

I pray you remember the reward for peacemaking in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9).

So: May you give up your right to that property or position you’ve been struggling for; and may the Lord pronounce over you, a blessing you cannot contain, because you shared His peace with others.

To be Christ-like is to make peace.

Shalom