Romans 12:14-21: How to Live with People

Romans 12:18.. "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

People are hard to live with, aren't they? It's okay, you can admit it, I won't tell anyone. Although we would all like to pretend that we get along with everyone great and constantly are loving toward everyone we meet, let's be honest: we often fail. We often judge people unrighteously in our hearts, gossip about them, say mean things behind their back, and in general just wish that we weren't around certain people. Some people are annoying. Some people are mean. And some people we just don't get along with very well. However, we must remember that we have a Christian responsibility towards the people around us. What is that responsibility? Well, let us find out.

In Romans 12:14-21, Paul gives us some super practical commands about how to deal with different groups of people. Let us look at them each seperately this morning.

Persecutors.. Paul says that we ought to "bless those who persecute you" (Romans 12:14). Oof. That's a wonderful command for 8:00 A.M. on a Tuesday morning, is it not? You know that coworker that bugs the crap out of you? God's called you to bless him. You know that classmate that keeps bullying you because he knows you have Jesus? God's called you to bless him.

Rejoicers.. Paul says that we ought to "rejoice with those who rejoice" (Romans 12:15). In other words, those fellow Christians around us who are rejoicing we surely ought to join in song. The Lord is worthy to be praised, and if a fellow Christian has a great song of joy, we ought to join with them for the edification of both our souls and theirs. This might seem like an easy command, but surely it is not. What about when you are sad, and someone else is rejoicing? Scripture commands us to still be a loving brother or sister and Christ and rejoice along with them.

Weepers.. Conversely, Paul commands us to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). This is a great verse that shows the righteousness that comes in weeping. There is nothing wrong with being sad and sorrowful for the right reasons, this is certainly a pattern that we see throughout all of scripture. In fact. the Bible even commends sorrow in Ecclesiastes 7:3 (to give you a homework assignment...look it up, its a good verse). Nevertheless, we ought to be a good family member in Christ by being there for those who are weeping, even in we are not. We ought to weep with them, share their sorrow, and carry their burdens.

Lowly.. Paul also commands us to "associate with the lowly" (Romans 12:16). This verse has great precedence on how we are to treat both the poor, those with special needs, and even those who are just "different."* All people are made in the image of God, and therefore all people have intrinsic value. Therefore, and because of Christian responsibility, we ought to associate with them. Do not neglect the homeless, the handicapped, the blind, the awkward, or the different, but associate with them. Even more, love them. Show them who Christ is.

All People.. Surely there are many different categories we could go into within these short seven verses, but for sake of brevity, let us end with the one command that Paul gives in regard to all people: live peacefully. Yes, that in fact means that whoever you come into contact with, you ought to strive to be at peace with them. Whether it is the pedestrian on the sidewalk or the annoying coworker, the man in front of you at the DMV or your ex-girlfriend, you are commanded by God's word to live in peace with them, as far as it depends on you.

So, how are you doing living with people? Are you living peaceably with all? Are you weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice? Are you associating with the lowly and blessing your persecutors? Take some time to think: who do you know that fits into any one of those categories that you could be treating better? How can you honor God by honoring your fellow man?

*I'm not trying to poke fun here, I swear. We all know that there are some people that just don't fit in. That's okay, God has created them that way for a purpose. LOVE THEM!