I was reading through Romans 12 and couldn’t help but dwell on verses 9–21. I wanted to toss it up in big letters across the sky and post it at the entrance of every church and door at my Christian University. This book was written by Paul for members of the Church (that’s us!). It is a book that is really good at telling us how it is and how it should be. In this particular passage, we are called to love genuinely (vs. 9), bless those who hurt us, cry with those who are sad (vs. 14), don’t act in revenge (vs. 17), and live in peace with others (vs. 18) along with some other good pointers (I would really recommend reading it). It lists a bunch of characteristics of a good and true Christian. So why did this passage bring up such strong emotions in me? This all would seem like pretty common sense if you grew up in the church.

The reason I got so frustrated is that while the passage says some essential aspects of how to love thy neighbor very clearly, it seems as if this is a rare thing to find in a Christian’s character today in America. I understand that we live in a world where a lot of Christians feel the need to defend our faith, and we often feel that we are always being attracted, but despite how we feel and what we want to do, we are called to be the better people. Whenever I look at social media, especially Facebook, I see a lot of hateful things coming from people who claim to be Christians. I see arguing about political matters, local issues, theories, theology, and more. I even see it in person when people talk badly about others they disagree with or about nonbelievers. Obviously, it is important to think about theology, politics, and whatnot, the issue here is not that we are claiming views, the issue is that we speak in a way that costs us love and peace.

The greatest commandment is to love God and love people, and we see how to love by watching Jesus. Romans 12 verse 18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (ESV). Love and living peaceably go together. It is important to note the beginning of the verse that says, “if possible, as far as it depends on you,” which is Paul admitting that peace is not always possible, especially when we are not the ones in control, but and I cannot stress this enough, that is not an excuse for us to not do our best on our side of the situation. I have brought this scripture up before and have had people quickly jump in to defend themselves by saying, “Well, it wasn’t me who started it. It was already escalated,” or “I am not starting trouble. I am defending my faith! Should I not defend my faith?” It is true that we are supposed to stand firm in our relationship with Christ, and like 1 Peter 3:15 says, “always (be) prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you,” but it also says “YET do it with GENTLENESS and RESPECT.” I would also like to point out 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done in love,” and 1 Corinthians 13, which lists a bunch of good things but adds “but have not love” it is like a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” If you are doing anything without love, you are missing the point and your efforts are worthless.

So, what am I trying to say? I am trying to point out that we are called to speak, act, live in love, and do our best to remain at peace with everyone. We really do not have any excuse. I can understand non-believers not acting like Christians, but I am saddened to see how many CHRISTians forget to act like CHRIST. We are called to be de-escalators. We need to take a moment and think before we argue. We need to be slow to anger and frustration. We can be so quick to defend ourselves that we stir the pot and start trouble. Even if the people we are talking about are not there, we still must speak in love. We risk peace for the sake of our own ego and political views. I sometimes long for the days when I was a kid, before politics and whatnot when we could talk with one another about Santa, who believed and who didn’t, and still walk away feeling loved no matter who agreed or disagreed with us.