Sometimes all you can do is your best. This is a helpful reminder for most areas of life, but especially in our relationships with others. How should we handle difficult people in our lives? What are our responsibilities?
In Romans 12:17-21, Paul provides various exhortations concerning our relationships with others. One specific area that Paul addresses is the need for believers to be peacemakers. In verse 18, Paul states that we should endeavor to live at peace with all people. This is not an exhortation to make peace at the expense of the truth of God’s Word (see Galatians 2:11). It is, however, urging us to do everything we can to be peacemakers.[1]
“When the peace is broken, don’t look at the other fellow, but look at yourself and see if you have done all you can do.”[2]
Christians should do everything they can to live at peace with everyone. However, it is equally important to remember “so far as it depends on you.” If you have done everything you can to make peace, then you can know that you have fulfilled your Biblical responsibility. In the end, all you can do is your best.
Blessings,
Pastor Steven