By Kent Fry
Read: Romans 12:14-21; Matthew 5:38-42
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Rom. 12:18)
When I have had a broken relationship and have been tempted to flee the situation, today’s key verse (v. 18) has given me great courage to take positive action toward the offended person. Perhaps they won’t respond in any sort of reciprocal way, but at least, so far as it depends on me, I have reached out.
In our Bible reading for today, Paul certainly was considering broken personal relationships, but he was also considering our connection beyond the community of believers.
Remember, the immediate context was that the Roman emperor had allowed Jews to return to Rome, including Jews who followed Jesus in the Roman house churches. Particularly the Jewish believers might have been tempted to lash out toward those in power.
In this passage, Paul called all believers in Jesus to non-retaliation in cases of persecution; to sympathize with the joys and sorrows of people outside their circle of fellow believers; and to overcome evil with good, allowing God to be the judge. In many cases, if this doesn’t turn pagans into Christians, it will lead them to consider the person of Jesus.
In responding to people beyond the Christian community, there will be times when attempts to practice reconciliation simply won’t work. However, Paul assures us that if we take the first step — “so far as it depends upon you ”— we know that we have acted in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
As you pray, consider a broken relationship and how you can take the first step toward reconciliation.
—————
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland. He and his wife, Joyce, are active members of Second Reformed Church in Zeeland.
Read: Romans 12:14-21; Matthew 5:38-42
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Rom. 12:18)
When I have had a broken relationship and have been tempted to flee the situation, today’s key verse (v. 18) has given me great courage to take positive action toward the offended person. Perhaps they won’t respond in any sort of reciprocal way, but at least, so far as it depends on me, I have reached out.
In our Bible reading for today, Paul certainly was considering broken personal relationships, but he was also considering our connection beyond the community of believers.
Remember, the immediate context was that the Roman emperor had allowed Jews to return to Rome, including Jews who followed Jesus in the Roman house churches. Particularly the Jewish believers might have been tempted to lash out toward those in power.
In this passage, Paul called all believers in Jesus to non-retaliation in cases of persecution; to sympathize with the joys and sorrows of people outside their circle of fellow believers; and to overcome evil with good, allowing God to be the judge. In many cases, if this doesn’t turn pagans into Christians, it will lead them to consider the person of Jesus.
In responding to people beyond the Christian community, there will be times when attempts to practice reconciliation simply won’t work. However, Paul assures us that if we take the first step — “so far as it depends upon you ”— we know that we have acted in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
As you pray, consider a broken relationship and how you can take the first step toward reconciliation.
—————
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland. He and his wife, Joyce, are active members of Second Reformed Church in Zeeland.
