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In Romans 14:19, Paul exhorts: “So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.” Every congregation of the Lord’s people needs these words today, as the church at Rome needed them originally.
Likewise, all across the world these words need to be heard in relations between brethren. We all know that Paul was no doctrinal or moral compromiser, so to begin with, let us understand that he is not urging a “peace at any price” philosophy. He is rather striving to help us overcome the petty immature personality traits that unnecessarily cause division among brethren from time to time. Paul’s exhortation above implies that there are some things that destroy peace, for example:
- A desire to have one’s own way at whatever cost: ”As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife” (Pro. 26:21). Only babies constantly contend for their own way.
- A vengeful spirit: Only eternity will reveal the number of times the peace of a church has been destroyed by some brother or sister who is determined to “get even.” Paul urges, “Render to no man evil for evil…Avenge not yourselves … I will recompense, saith the Lord” (Rom.12:17, 19).
- A dictator/despot attitude that desires to rule or ruin: John sharply condemned Diotrephes for seeking to rule his brethren (3 John 9). This attitude destroys peace.
- A tendency to ask foolish questions: Some people seek to display their wisdom through questions or problems they pose, when really, they only display ignorance. Paul urged, “Foolish and ignorant questions refuse, knowing that they gender strifes” (2 Tim. 2:23).
- A murmuring spirit: The chronic complainer can never be pleased and discourages others, inciting them to fuss and complain. Such behaviors can result in unnecessary congregational unrest and division. “Do all things without murmurings and questionings” (Phi. 2:14).
The following Biblical traits will help maintain peace among brethren:
- A total surrender to the authority of Christ: “And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17).
- A conscious effort to live peacefully: “Giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).
- An earnest attempt to treat others as we want them to treat us: “All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets” ( 7:12).
- A forgiving spirit: “If he repent, forgive him” (Luke 17:3).
- Remember, Jesus ‘ words: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Mat. 5:9).
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, January 29, 1987, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From www.thescripturecache.com, Dub McClish, proprietor, curator, and administrator.
