Romans 11-16: Live at Peace

   Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited.
   Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.- Rom. 12:9-18 NIV

I have to remind myself of this occasionally:  to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.  It is this mindset that keeps me at peace.  Peace is not external, it is internal, but it is brought about by external actions, my own external actions, not the actions of others towards me.  Peace comes from loving others, from putting others first, from being devoted to others well-being over my own.  Peace comes from not being proud or conceited.  It comes from loving all men regardless of their status or financial situation.  Peace comes from love.  There is no other source.  In a world where we see so little peace, it is incumbent upon us to be the provision.  Especially in this season, we cannot just proclaim peace, we must be a living demonstration of that peace., the peace that defies all understanding, the peace that comes from sincere love.  This business of peace depends on us, not on others. We are called to reflect the source of that peace.  There is no higher calling.  We are to live at peace.

2010 Post - Romans 11-16:  Doxology