2 Samuel 3-4
Psalm 53
Romans 12
-Devotion by Sarah Johnson (MN)
I don’t know if any of you have noticed recently, but the world sure isn’t getting any better to live in. There’s still a lot of really terrible things that happen all the time, everywhere. There is rarely harmony and peace when I happen to check the news. Across the world we see the ongoing impact of a lack of peace from country to country, state to state, and family to family.
‘Peace’ can be both a verb, and a noun, and has six different meanings according to Merriam-Webster. In Romans 12:18, the Greek word for “living at peace” or “live peaceably” is εἰρηνεύοντες (Thank you, Google!). It is a present, active participle. This means it is an action assigned to a subject (in this case, a person) to do consistently.
This peace is much more than just a lack of conflict or disagreement. This peace is one that takes ongoing work. This same Greek word is also used by Jesus in Mark 9:50 where he reminds those to “have salt, and be at peace with one another”. In this passage, it seems Jesus is tying this peace to a distinct trait amongst Christians. Paul is doing the same in his letter to the Roman church. He is listing out many unique traits believers should portray to live out their lives as “living sacrifices” (v.1).
Consider what Paul writes about in this chapter – humbling yourself, working for the betterment of one group, hating evil, honoring others above yourself, being joyful and patient and faithful, blessing those who persecute, living at peace, not taking revenge, feeding your enemy, overcoming evil with good… All of these things are downright WEIRD in our society! And that’s exactly the point – this is how we are not conformed to the pattern of the world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds (v.2). As believers, we should be standing out as total weirdos in our world.
Peace that takes work doesn’t always look like staying silent. Certainly in some moments it can, however, in many situations it looks like asking thoughtful questions, respectfully sharing truth, being willing to disagree and yet still show love to others. Being peaceful may often look like standing up or standing out from the rest of the crowd. It is not something that will come naturally, or even be easy to do.
While “living at peace” is an active verb, where the subject has to take action, “be transformed” is a passive verb; the subject here has to receive the action. What does this mean for us? It means that we are not the ones doing the transforming by ourselves… we are not the ones that can renew our own minds. This is something that is done to us, so that we can do all of those other wonderful things Paul describes for others. Which is why it makes sense that the world simply cannot be better than it is, unless it too experiences the transforming renewal that Jesus Christ can offer. We eagerly await his return, knowing that with it, he will bring a forever peace to this earth. I am truly so excited for that day!
Reflection Questions:
- How would you describe the differences between the types of ‘peace’ that is in the world today, versus the type of peace Paul calls believers to?
- In the list of traits and characteristics Paul calls the Church to have and be, which stand out to you most as areas for improvement in your life? What could you do today to practice?
Prayer:
Thank You Father for Your good, acceptable and perfect will. I want to be smack dab in the middle of Your will. Thank You for your tranforming me when I renew my mind and focus on You not on the world. I do not want to look like or follow the world. Help me always desire and put forth effort to do the hard work of living at peace with humility, service, and Your wisdom, direction and love. We pray for the return of Your Son!
Seek Grow Love 