Live Peaceably with Everyone

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

I had a lot of thoughts about the right blog for this one: a fantastic story about a roommate conflict that resolved itself by one girl declaring to the other that she was acting selfishly, and a reciprocal response; a road trip that thought me far more about who I am than I ever could have expected; a series of Apologetics lectures on thinking Christianly; a biblical/theological inquiry about what "peace" means biblically.

I don't want to tell you those stories today. I just have one thing I want to drive home:

Paul seems so skeptical here about peace. He doesn't think its possible. He gives you all of these outs. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you... Paul couldn't be less committal unless he simply didn't write it.

And I think there is a reason for it.

Peace isn't easy. It defies our natural instinct; its the reversal of what Genesis 3 promises the human race. Peace is the opposite of self-preservation and it is difficult in the face of diversity.

Note that Paul didn't tell the Romans to be permissive. In the same paragraph, they were called to HATE what is evil. But he asks them for something much harder — to strive to be peaceable amid opposition.

This morning in the office, Danica and I started a witty banter about a theology book, and she smirked, "Yeah, doesn't the Bible say carry your cross until its too heavy, and then put it down?"
I retorted, "Yep. Its right after store up all your wealth for yourself so that you can be happy."

Our mockery had a point. The Bible calls for hard things of us. It calls us to act contrary to our human nature and against our instincts. The human life calls for suffering and opposition. People will hate you for your beliefs, but you are still to strive to be peaceable in your declaration of what is right.