“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18 KJV
How many times has this verse come up in the last month, or longer, and I simply did not get it? I thought, oh sure, I’m living peaceably. They are over there, I’m over here,✌️Right? But, then something clicked inside of me. While we were living all peacefully and avoiding one another. Patronizing one another at best, when we had to speak, there really was no peace.
Then, it really struck me. They, too, are created in the image of God. Whatever I do or don’t do for one of the least, is the same as doing or not unto God. And there it was, I was convicted.
It didn’t matter who started it. Or who said what. There was no true peace. For my part, I was doing nothing to move us in that direction either… Yet, I’m reminded of the greatest commandments: “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 KJV
When I truly grasp ahold of God’s love and His mercy and grace! Well, it’s so easy to extend the same to others – my brother/friend/neighbor. No one is exempt from our love. No one!
When I consider the value of the relationships in my life – the value of my relationship with Jesus, it puts everything into perspective for me. All are made in the image of God. We have His Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we are to be beacons of light, shining, sharing His love and truth with all. This is why we strive to be at peace with everyone. Didn’t Jesus say: Blessed are the peacemakers for theirs is the Kingdom of God.
To live peaceably with everyone doesn’t mean avoiding and running away from conflict. Conflicts arise as a part of life. Rather it means acknowledging the value of the relationship and coming to a place where you will either salvage it with compromise, or agree to peacefully part ways.
On the Outside Looking In 
Right on daughter. You are right on point! And the power to love and the power of love is amazing. It will promote one to look deeper even if one is offended. Look deeper to find the source of the problem. Just as we would do concerning one of our children. But the only way to ontain that type love is loving God with all our heart knowing that He first loved us and is truly worthy of our love and obedience. Then when we do that He places His love in our hearts for others. We cannot do it on our own. I pray daily that God let me see people as He does. Lord give me a portion of your heart.❤
LikeLiked by 2 people