“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Rom. 12:18 KJV

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”  (Rom. 12:18 KJV).

One of the great promises of Jesus is the promise of peace.  In John 14:27 Jesus promised to give all those who follow Him, His peace!   In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is called The Prince of Peace.  Peace is one of the blessings and benefits of living in the Kingdom of God (Rom. 14:17).  And, as God’s people, we  are called to follow after those things that bring about peace (Rom. 14:19). 

The peace that the Lord promises begins with having peace with God (Rom. 5:1).  Until we have been reconciled to God through the shed Blood of Jesus, and our sin forgiven , it is impossible to have this peace.  But once His peace is received, it lays the foundation for living and walking in peace.  This peace is beyond our human understanding  (Phil. 4:7) because it comes from God Himself!   Once we are at peace with God, we can be at peace with ourselves.  And because we are at peace with ourselves, we can be at peace with others.   We than are called  to do everything that we can to live in peace with others, because that is a reflection of the life of Christ within us.  In fact, it is only the Gospel of Christ that commands us to “love our enemies” (Matth. 5:44).   This peace is real, powerful and profound!  There is nothing anywhere that compares to it. 

But sadly, we live in a fallen world.  Sin still resides in the human heart.  And even though we desire to be at peace with others, there are those who refuse to be at peace with us.  And, as we have seen recently with the war in Israel, there are those who do not want peace no matter what is done.   That is why  the scripture tells us to live in peace as much as it is possible.    Regrettably, there are times when it is no longer possible.  Then  we must do everything that we can to protect our loved ones from those who would seek to destroy them.  There comes a time when we must fight.  We must do everything that we can to live peaceably.    But when that is no longer possible there is a time for war (Ecc. 3:8).   Because  this world will never  be at peace until Jesus Comes! 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

James W. Black