Peace with all People

Radical Love: The Call to Unconditional Grace

THE PERSON CREDITED with devising the Christmas manger scene is Saint Francis of Assisi. In 1223, Saint Francis decided he wanted to re-create the night Jesus was born. According to one of Francis’s biographers (his disciple Thomas of Celano), he wanted to “make a memorial of that Child who was born in Bethlehem, and in some sort behold with bodily eyes His infant hardships; how He lay in a manger on the hay, with the ox and ass standing by.”

In the small town of Greccio, located between Rome and Assisi, Francis and his friend Giovanni Vellita built a stable and dressed people as Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. He used a wax doll to represent the baby Jesus. The animals, including a donkey, some cows, and some sheep, were all real. Saint Francis hoped his manger scene would help people remember God’s gift of his Son. He summoned the town’s 1,500 residents to his display, and, as people viewed the spectacle, Francis read from the Scriptures.

We’ve all heard the scripture that tells us to love our enemies… Not easy sometimes, that’s why we call them enemies.

Paul stresses in Romans 12 that to love enemies is to embody the character of Christ, who welcomed sinners and demonstrated grace against hatred. is that normal in our society?

But we need to be different, we need to live counter-culturally by practicing unconditional love even toward those who really get under your skin.

What does that term mean, under your skin… I tend to lean towards my days on horseback, and how careful you have to be to make sure there’s nothing under the saddle that’s irritating the horse… or even you yourself getting bur or sharp pebble in your shoe...

How do we respond to these situations? Do we move on and forgive, or do we sit there with a boulder in our shoe and welcome the anger and bitterness, because sometimes, we’re looking for someone to be mad at.

This morning we’re talking about radical love!

Peace and forgiveness towards the very person or thing that gets us so worked up.

We are the tool to conquer hatred, foster peace and reconciliation throughout the communities and families… because we live in a fractured world, but God is the Peace Maker!

I remember growing up, and the attitude was if you held on to anger and didn’t give in to forgiveness and reconciliation, that’s what strength was.

But by studying Christ’s example, we are reminded that true strength lies in grace and mercy, and embracing unconditional love, even towards our enemies, reveals the true nature of the Gospel and empowers Christians to transform hostility into community and conflict into connection.

Bless Beyond Boundaries

Romans 12:14–16 “14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

A youth group decides to adopt a local retirement home, bringing cards and gifts on holidays. Their efforts result in joyful interactions, sharing life stories and laughter. Across generations, there is Joy to be found.

In the midst of a heated political debate, a group of friends finds themselves divided by their views. Instead of arguing, they choose to share a meal and listen to each other's stories. Love transcends differences and that true understanding comes from empathy and humility.

In a bustling city, a homeless man often sits on the corner, blanketed in rags. One evening, a businessman stops and shares a meal with him, asking about his life. Connecting with people that feel forgotten as they struggle with life altering situations.

Like several of our people are doing once a month with CR or the Pantry.

That’s not really that hard to start nurturing relationships that transcend hostility and build community.

Forfeit Personal Vengeance

Romans 12:17-19 17 Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Do you trust God to handle your grievances?

There’s a parable about a man who built a fence between himself and a neighbor who insulted him. Over years, he realized that the wall he constructed only kept the anger inside. In his old age, he learned that peace and love could have grown without that barrier.

Conquer with Kindness

Romans 12:20–21 “20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

In ancient Rome, a common punishment was to place a heavy basket of coals on someone's head for being a nuisance. However, the scripture flips this idea. By doing good to our enemies, we are heaping these 'burning coals' not to punish, but to provoke reflection and remorse. It reminds us that grace can change hearts, shifting animosity into opportunities for relationship and redemption.

Are we willing to break the cycle of hostility, in sacrificial service to our fellow man? Are we trusting God to bring healing through us, not just for those that we are hurt by, but for us to see them differently.

See it’s not just enough to love our enemies, we need to be actively engaged in breaking that cycle.… sometimes we need to be creative about it too.

In a small town, a Christian family discovered that a local business owner was spreading rumors about them. Instead of responding with anger, they made it a point to frequent his store, engage him in friendly conversation, and support his business. Over time, the man apologized, realizing his past mistakes. This act of kindness served as a living testimony to the power of overcoming evil with good.

Worship team...

Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.

When family gatherings become tense due to differing opinions, be proactive in establishing 'peaceful zones' where sensitive topics are off-limits. Before the gathering, communicate this rule with your family. Instead, encourage light-hearted conversations or shared laughter, creating a nurturing environment. Proverbs 16:24 says, 'Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.' Your effort to promote peace can turn a potentially divisive situation into a loving reunion.