How do you react towards others?

My wife Jo, once had a picture of God riding a wild stallion, and God was smiling and laughing with pure joy, and delighting at the ‘wildness’ and the ‘rage’…………..…..  the Stallion was me!!!

I recall one of my teachers at secondary school informing my mother that ‘Paul doesn’t suffer fools gladly’.  It is part of my character that I have endeavoured to change, but to be honest some people just irritate me; they get on my nerves; I get frustrated when they are slow to act; and I lack patience and don’t have a lot of time for others …. sometimes.

We are all different; in temperament, character, and personality.  It would be all too easy for me to hide behind ‘Paul doesn’t suffer fools gladly’ and to say ‘well that’s just how I am’ – ‘I can’t help it’.  But, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The ‘Therefore’ follows verse 16, in which Paul Says: ‘So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.’

If I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, then the reality is I am changed, and I must change.

Our verse today implies a conscious decision.  I have to decide to turn from evil and I must do good.  Furthermore, I must seek and pursue peace!

Paul writes: ‘If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’ (Romans 12:18).

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Application:

I cannot control the reaction of others, but I can control myself and the way I engage with others.  Today I resolve before God, to seek peace and pursue it – how about you?

Prayer:

This day, Lord make me both a peace keeper and a peace seeker.  To your glory. Amen.