Indifference is Not an Option

Read: Psalm 121  God is our Keeper  

What does it look like to hold to truth in a way that is pleasing to God?  Christians ought to be people who are known for their tenacious defense of truth, but we also ought to be known for being peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) who love like no other group of people.  How do we do both of these at the same time?  That is where Romans 12:18 comes in.  

Romans 12:18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

As far as it depends on us, we are to live at peace with everyone.  We should go out of our way to not stir up arguments as divisions, but we also cannot live at peace with everyone at all costs.  There is a limit to how far we can go.  We should be accommodating and kind, but we cannot bend or ignore the laws God has put in place in order to keep the peace. At no point in our attempt to live at peace does the Bible endorse us backing off the truth of Scripture.  At no point can we endorse lifestyles, beliefs, or behaviors that are contrary to what the Bible has prescribed.  

We are to be a unique combination of love and forgiveness, of unwavering steadfastness and adherence to truth.  Jesus displayed how to balance the two perfectly when a woman caught in adultery was brought before Him in John 8.  Jesus refused to condemn her when all others would have.  Instead, He chose to forgive her of her wrongdoing, but also did not act as though she had done nothing wrong.  His final words to her were “sin no more”.  Jesus is a great example of a proper response to sin and to those living in sin.  We must live at peace when possible.  We must love and forgive, but we also must call out sin for what it is, and refuse to ignore wrongdoings.  So let us live at peace with everyone as far as it depends on us.