14 day plan

Family Peacemaking

Day 14 of 14

CSB

Romans 12:17-21

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20But

If your enemy is hungry, feed him.

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

For in so doing

you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.

21Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Reflection:  My friend and colleague in Syria says that if we’ve made peace with God we have a holy commitment to make peace with others – to truly live the gospel of peace in the world.  He says that only God’s peace in human hearts can bring real and lasting peace to his people – and after nearly a decade of relentless war, he should know.

Jesus said peacemaking should be a Christian’s distinctive quality and my friend and colleague lives this out. He longs for a day of real shalom and works tirelessly and selflessly for it.  How can you and I not do the same?  This holy commitment is our very profound responsibility.  Not in Syria perhaps, but certainly in our own homes and families, knowing that if it doesn’t start there, it won’t start anywhere.  It must start with us.  May God bless you as you begin!

Question: Have you ever considered peace-making in your own sphere of influence to be a holy commitment and responsibility? What steps is God asking you to take now?  What and who is he asking you to commit to?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, Thank you for those in our world who have recognised that peace-making is a high and holy calling for all who choose to follow Jesus.  Root this calling within me too, I pray, and send me out to truly live and share the gospel of peace.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

How have you found this series? Let us know. 

Romans 12:1-21

A Living Sacrifice

1Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Many Gifts but One Body

3For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.

Christian Ethics

9Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 11Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. 20But

If your enemy is hungry, feed him.

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

For in so doing

you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.

21Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.