I Thessalonians 5:13
“and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”
It would seem that this last comment would be a given. Of course we should live in peace with one another. This appears to be focused on christians. However, Paul says in Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” This extends the charge to everyone, believers and those not in the faith. We are to attempt to be at peace with everyone.
We will have differences with those in the church. Sometimes we need to tolerate, sometimes we reconcile and other times we keep our distance. Just because someone is in the faith, doesn’t mean they aren’t difficult (us as well).
I’ve heard the church described as a hospital. Jesus said, “Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28. He wants to help the hopeless, the discouraged and the unwanted. Of course we will have difficulty with those in the body of Christ. It’s made up of wounded people. Hurt people often hurt people.
It’s ok that we experience friction. It’s the process by which He makes us more Christlike. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” The sharpening process generates heat and pressure. So also with human relationships. We will feel this pressure and are to pray for the grace to keep the peace. We usually have some responsibility in the problem.
We will also experience difficulty outside of the church. We are to do much the same thing. We can communicate our differences in hope of resolving the issue, yet in a kind and respectful manner. We are also to ask the Lord for patience. This may be the way He ministers to them.
We need to remember the intro on the Romans passage, “If possible”. Sometimes it’s not possible. We can do all we can and pray, yet no positive results. We can avoid them or keep up our efforts, if peace achieved.
Lord, help us to be at peace with everyone. Give us the grace and patience to make this possible.