Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

All types are allowed on the playground. If you are going to be there, you have to learn to get along. Paul’s encouragement here starts out with “if it be possible”.

Isaiah 42:14a (KJ21) “I have long time held My peace; I have been still and refrained Myself.”

I am quoting only the first part of Isaiah 42:14 because as a babe in Christ you are not ready for the second part of the verse. Our beginning in Christ has everything to do with holding our peace. It was not our old nature to do so, but becoming new, it is the way of peace that will lead us in the right way to walk with Christ. We cannot control how others act but we are to offer up the opportunity for peace on our part.

Our first selfless act in becoming a babe in Christ should be to act peaceably on this playground. While peace is listed third in the fruits of the spirit, it is quickly followed by the fourth, longsuffering. If the fruits of the spirit are manifested in order as some preach, then peace should be shown before we learn to endure suffering. These are not easy lessons but if kept in order, life in Christ will progress as planned.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

There are perhaps no sadder words than to hear a new Christian say, “I read the ending. I know how this turns out.” Nearly everyone I have heard say that fails to read their bibles properly to extract God’s plan and to discover the journey is so important.