Romans 12:17-18
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.
Take the Romans 12 Challenge!
- Memorize the weekly verse(s)
- Pray the prayer every morning/evening
- Print the reminder card, post it somewhere visible, take it with you
- Every time you see the "12" of the Seahawks' 12th man flag, think about applying these thoughts to your life.
- Post a comment to this blog to share how God is transforming you for good!
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| copy & print for reminder card - black & white |
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| copy & print for reminder card - color |
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. “Take thought for what is good in the sight of all people.” This verse is open to misinterpretation. It basically means that when there is something that Christians and the culture agree is good, make sure you do it. Pick the low-hanging fruit first! Remember that Paul’s main message in Romans 12 is to hold tightly to what is discerned to be good by a God-renewed mind, and that this may bring us into nonconformity with the pattern of this world (v. 2, 9). Bible scholar Paul Achtemeier reminds us that “The problem is not that there is no good alongside the evil (in secular society). The problem is that secular society is unable to discern the difference, often confusing what is bad with what is good” (Commentary on Romans, p. 202).
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone. Christ’s followers are called to be peace keepers and
peace makers (see Mark 9:50, Matthew 5:9, and Galatians 5:22). These instructions do not require us to
control others’ behavior, only our own.
Pray about it
Lord, help me stop and think before I respond so I don’t do something everyone knows is wrong. Show me what I can do to maintain relationships, even if others don’t cooperate. I want to be a peace maker, not a peace breaker. Amen.
Apply it
What is something you struggle with that most people in our society agree is wrong…or perhaps not healthy? Work on changing your thinking and behavior in relation to this struggle this week. Be alert to choosing to be a peacemaker when you might have the right to disturb the peace.
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