Live Peaceably With All

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” -Romans 12:18

Paul began his list of exhortations to Christians with the charge that we love genuinely, abhorring what is evil and holding fast to what is good. Each of the exhortations are in one sense independent of the others but in another sense, they are collectively aimed at healthy community life. 

Here he provides a sort of bookend to the series, exhorting believers to live peaceably with everyone so far as it is in their power to do so. And, Paul is not the only apostle to exhort believers to this end. 

The author of Hebrews charges Christians, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14)

And James also reminds the church, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” -James 3:17

There are more examples but all of them are simply echoing the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in his Sermon on the Mount when he said, ““Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

The truth is, however, it is not always possible to keep the peace. This is why he says, if possible and so far as it depends on you. As Christians, we ought to bear many things and forgive many sins for the sake of peace, but we must not ever excuse compliance with or affirmation of sin for the sake of peace-keeping. 

Let it never be said of believers that we have not done all that we can to keep the peace; but let it also never be said that we have “flatter[ed] the vices of men for the sake of preserving peace.”