Romans 12: 10 - Be at peace with others
| Romans 12: 10, 18 ( King James Version ) |
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| Verse 10: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour perferring one another; |
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| Verse 18: If at all possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaveable with all men. |
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| Romans 12: 10, 18 ( New International Version ) |
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| Verse 10 > Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. |
| Verse 14 > Bless them which persecute you: Bless, and curse not. |
| Verse 18 > If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. |
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| Text Quoted in Spirit of Prophecy |
| Here the noble, unselfish spirit of Abraham was displayed. How many under similar circumstances would, at all hazards, cling to their individual rights and preferences! How many households have thus been rent asunder! How many churches have been divided, making the cause of truth a byword and a reproach among the wicked! "Let there be no strife between me and thee," said Abraham, "for we be brethren;" not only by natural relationship, but as worshipers of the true God. The children of God the world over are one family, and the same spirit of love and conciliation should govern them. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another" (Romans 12:10), is the teaching of our Saviour. The cultivation of a uniform courtesy, a willingness to do to others as we would wish them to do to us, would annihilate half the ills of life. The spirit of self-aggrandizement is the spirit of Satan; but the heart in which the love of Christ is cherished, will possess that charity which seeketh not her own. Such will heed the divine injunction, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Philippians 2:4. Patriarchs and Prophets, page 132.3 |
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God's ideal for members of His church is that they should, as far as possible, "live peaceable with all men" Romans 12: 18. The Church should use its readily accissible and reasonable prompt process by which many differences among members can be settled. Should the Church fail to respond to a request for help in reconciling a difference, or if the church acknowledges that the nature of the case is such that it is not within its authority, it should be recognized that the member has exhausted the possibilities of the biblically outlined procedure for the settlement of differences and that what he/she should do beyond that point is a matter for his/her conscience. Church Manual, page 60 ¶ 5 on Reconciliation of Differences
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| The series closed with the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 12: 1-18, setting forth God's ideal for His people. Ellen and James White had sown the seed--it would take time to mature. What was written tended to restrain a tendency to disunion in the ranks of the believers. Another factor, something not enjoyed by the other churches, was the guiding and restraining influence of the visions, which the believers accepted as having authority. The interplay of Bible instruction and the Spirit of Prophecy messages come into full view as church organization was consummated a few years later. {1BIO 289.2} |
| How good it would be if among all who are engaged in carrying out God’s wonderful plan for the salvation of souls, there were no idlers! How much more would be accomplished if every one would say, “God holds me accountable to be wide awake, and to let my efforts speak in favor of the truth I profess to believe. I am to be a practical worker, not a day-dreamer.” It is because there are so many day-dreamers that true workers have to carry a double burden. Writing by the Spirit, Paul says: “As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Romans 12: 9-15 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” { RH June 20, 1912, par. 6 } |
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| God's servants are to work together, blending in kindly, courteous order, "in honor preferring one another." Romans 12:10. There is to be no unkind criticism, no pulling to pieces of another's work; and there are to be no separate parties. Every man to whom the Lord has entrusted a message has his specific work. Each one has an individuality of his own, which he is not to sink in that of any other man. Yet each is to work in harmony with his brethren. In their service God's workers are to be essentially one. No one is to set himself up as a criterion, speaking disrespectfully of his fellow workers or treating them as inferior. Under God each is to do his appointed work, respected, loved, and encouraged by the other laborers. Together they are to carry the work forward to completion. {AA 275.2} |
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| "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another." Romans 12:10; "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9. The Lord Jesus demands our acknowledgment of the rights of every man. Men's social rights, and their rights as Christians, are to be taken into consideration. All are to be treated with refinement and delicacy, as the sons and daughters of God. {MH 489.3} |