ESOCS Devotional 20 August 2023 – Live Peaceably With All Men
MEMORY VERSE: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18 NKJV
TEXT: ROMANS 12:1-END (KJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
The word peace means a state of tranquility or quite such as freedom from civil, political, spiritual and economic disturbances. It is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in absence of hostility and violence. Hence, you enjoy or stress force state of security and calmness that comes when there is no fighting or war, everything coexisting in perfect harmony and freedom.
In the context above, peace is a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations with neighbors, friends, relatives etc. resulting to peace of mind of serenity in the environment within and at large. From our topic above Romans 3:18, the scripture says, “If it be possible, as much as it lieth in your life, peaceable with all men.”
This means you have to live in peace with everyone born of a woman even when they are doing something evil against us. For instance, false witness, accusations, lies, gossips, fight you spiritual or physically; when they are frustrating, marginalizing or even go extra mile to invalidate you or use you for rituals to renew their life and so many inconceivable wickedness known or concealed.
This is humanly very difficult, however above in two phrases; if it be possible as much as it lieth you.
Understanding the Lord above context is very important. This is because God will not allow any temptation that you cannot bear, overcome or conquer to come to you (1 Cor. 10:13). In Isaiah 54:17, the Lord made this wonderful promise: “No weapon formed against shall prosper and every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servant of the LORD. And their righteousness is from me, says the LORD.”
He also provided in Psalm 125:3 that the rod of the wicked shall not rest on the lot of righteous, test the righteous put forth then hand into iniquity.
This means that God has wonderfully provided for as many as will trust him in faith to do and fulfill his divine will in faith not minding the evil machination of evil ones.
In conclusion when you obey God in this and other respects, he will surprise you by fishing for you in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head (Roman 12:20).
- How willing are you to obey God in all things?
- Pray the Lord to grant you the spirit of obedience.
FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 17:1-25; Proverbs 14:1-end; Matthew 6:1-18; Romans 12:1-end
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ESOCS Devotional 20 August 2023
