Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:17-18 NIV
Now, as we shift our focus, we will explore another significant area where our role as peacemakers is essential. In addition to cultivating peace with God, we are also called to establish peace in another crucial domain. As ambassadors for Christ, we must strive to reconcile men to God. Likewise, we must also pursue peace with others. As Christians, we must love peace, make peace, maintain peace, and be at peace. At the same time, we must maintain our right standing and holiness with God.
So, in our relationship with others, believers or not, we are not to repay evil for evil. On the contrary, we should always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. The crux of the matter is this: “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. You have been called to be a peacemaker. So, you must make every effort to make and maintain peace.
However, it is important to give a careful attention to a few key phrases from this scripture. “Be careful” and “as far as it depends on you”. The instruction from Hebrews 12:14 will help us to gain a clearer insight into this scripture.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14 NIV
It is important to note that every effort we are making to live in peace with everyone must not rob us of our holiness. We must not compromise holiness with God to make peace with men. To maintain peace with God, you have to be in right standing with God (be holy). Therefore, in your effort to live in peace with men, holiness with God must take priority. Without holiness no one will see the Lord.
To experience true peace, we must strive for a life that aligns with God’s righteous standards and commands. We attain right standing with God by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and embracing His redemptive work on the cross.
