October 14, 2026

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Ephesians 4:1–3, Colossians 3:12–15; Romans 12:17–21, Romans 14

If biblical peace meant everyone getting along, the New Testament would look very different. The early churches had plenty of disagreements. The question was not whether conflict would come, but how followers of Jesus would respond when it did. Christopher J. H. Wright writes, “Since God has made peace between himself and us, God now calls us to live in peace with one another, as a way of ‘living out’ the transforming power of the cross in our own practical lives.” Because Christ has reconciled us to God, we are called to become people who pursue reconciliation with others. Paul urges believers to “make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Eph. 4:3). Christ has already made us one through the cross, and we are called to protect that unity through humility, gentleness, patience, and love. This begins with the mindset of Christ, who humbled Himself and put the interests of others before His own (Phil. 2:1–5). Paul also writes, “Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace” (Col. 3:15). When conflict comes, Christ’s peace should shape the way we respond.

We are called to be peacemakers. Romans 12:18 says, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Reconciliation is not always possible because it depends on more than one person. We are responsible to do what we can to pursue peace with humility, forgiveness, and grace, but we cannot control another person’s response, and we must trust the outcome to God. There is also an important difference between being a peacemaker and simply being a peacekeeper. Peacekeepers often avoid hard conversations or ignore problems to keep everyone comfortable. Peacemakers are willing to address conflict with love, speak truth with grace, apologize, forgive, and work toward real reconciliation. Romans 14 reminds us that believers can disagree on secondary matters and still remain united in Christ. Peace grows when we value people more than our preferences and care more about building one another up than winning an argument.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, “The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.” Real peace requires loving imperfect people. The Spirit grows peace in us as we stop avoiding conflict, become quicker to apologize, resist the need to defend ourselves, and refuse divisive speech. In a world marked by polarization, avoidance, and a desire to “protect our peace,” a life shaped by Christ’s peace stands out. Every time we choose humility over pride, forgiveness over bitterness, or reconciliation over division, we give others a glimpse of the Prince of Peace.

Reflection

Am I more concerned with being right or with reflecting Christ? Is there someone I need to forgive, seek forgiveness from, or pursue reconciliation with? How can I demonstrate Christ’s peace in a world that desperately needs it this week?