Getting Along

One of the toughest things for us to do at times is simply to get along with one another. When there is a group of people together, there are bound to be differences of opinion, backgrounds, interests, and personality traits. These differences help to make life more interesting. But they can make life with others very difficult. Sometimes it is not our differences but rather our similarities which breed strife. I believe this is the case because we can see our weaknesses in the other person. Whatever the case may be, we need to learn how to get along. The apostle Paul writes: "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom. 12:18). This is one of those rules that is easy to understand, but hard to follow. But God expects us to live at peace with others, even our enemies (Matt. 5:44). And God has given us instructions to help us accomplish this goal (2 Pet. 1:3).

Perspective

Perspective is one key to getting along with others. When you are in a situation involving a conflict, or potential conflict, try to look at it from the other person's point of view. Looking at it this way can help us to relate to how they must be feeling and this will help us to acquire peace with that person. This is exactly what Jesus Christ did for us by coming to earth to live as a man (Ph. 2:7). He is uniquely qualified to be the Mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5) because He is both God and Man. Christ can relate to us for He "was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin," (Heb. 4:15). Christ, who is the "Prince of Peace " (Isaiah 9:6), looked at life from our point of view. If we are to live at peace with others we ought to try to see things from their perspective also.

Reconciliation

Our goal in any disagreement should be reconciliation. We ought to strive to be at peace with others. If this is our focus it will be hard for others to stay at odds with us. And if they do, we have still fulfilled our requirement before God when we have done everything in our power to be at peace with them. It is very difficult to stay mad at someone who is striving to do good to you anyway. This is what is meant by heaping "coals of fire on his head," (Rom. 12:20). We must keep in mind the power of our influence in the world. And we must remember the precious souls of those who are around us, who are watching our example. Jesus was able to live at peace with others because He knew His mission: "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost," (Luke 19:10). This should be our mission as well.

Self-control

Self-control is listed as one of seven items which we are to add to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5-7). Self-control is what we must have if we are to live at peace with others. Solomon wrote: "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city," (Proverbs 16:32). Some people are able to control everything around them, yet are unable to control themselves. Self-control is listed as one aspect of "the fruit of the Spirit" which is in contrast with "the works of the flesh" in Galatians 5:19-23. If we are truly Christians, than we must work toward the goal of keeping our passions under control. When we have self-control then we can have peace with those around us as well as with God.