You.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans twelve, verse 18 in Romans twelve, verses nine through 21, the apostle Paul touches on grand themes like love, patience, and refusing to take revenge on those who do us wrong. An exaggerated summary of the passage might look like this there are already enough bad guys in the world. Don't be one of them. The 18th verse of Romans twelve encourages us to live at peace with everyone, at least to the best of our ability and opportunity. Paul didn't mean that we should turn a blind eye to what is clearly sinful and wrong. Tolerating abuse, injustice and sin is never justifiable. However, he is telling us that our first reaction to the things people do and say shouldn't be to get even or put them in their place. Instead, we should do our level best to get along with others, setting a good example and praying for opportunities to gently help them see any error in their ways. Years ago, when I was still a kid, some comedian gave the following humorous twist to Longfellow's poem the arrow and this song I shot an arrow in the air it fell to earth I knew not where until next day in rage profound, my next door neighbor came around, and now I do no longer care to shoot more arrows in the air. Living at peace with others means, among other things, not doing things we know are sure to upset people and irritate them. Shooting arrows over the fence into your neighbor's yard certainly qualifies. So do snide and snarky remarks, arrogance, making fun of people or looking down on those who are sick, homeless or less fortunate. The world teaches us to tell others that we will scratch their backs if they scratch ours. But Jesus teaches us to treat others the way we would like them to treat us, and to do so regardless of how they treat us. It's not always possible to get along with everyone. Sometimes even our best efforts aren't enough to make bullies treat us any better. But as much as possible, we should be willing to at least try.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to [email protected] have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.