Steven A. Bush - October 3, 2021
So Far as It Depends on You
Romans 12:18 says: "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." (ESV) Many believers have found themselves in situations where reconciliation was not possible because no matter what they said or did, the other person(s) weren't having any of it. In fact their attempts to make peace only served to feed the other party's intent to make war. Do you wonder if anyone understands such depths of pain when your attempts to reconcile with someone you love are rejected? God knows full well! When your gestures are rebuffed and someone digs in their heals to maintain their opposition, it's one thing; when God gives His one and only Son to take away our sin, suffer horribly to reconcile us to Himself, only to be rejected, can anything in the universe or throughout time eternal be more egregious? Our sins have been punished and forgiven; everlasting life has been offered; former enemies are offered friendship and sonship. Rejecting this is truly the tragedy of all tragedies! And while some may choose the unconscionable, let not yourself be among them! As Paul exhorts in 2 Corinthians 5:20b: "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (ESV)