Romans 12:18 (KJV) Live Peaceably — But Stand When You Must

Romans 12:18 (KJV)

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

History has proven that, unfortunately, it's not always possible to live peaceably with all men. It’s a reality borne out in human history, both in the secular and the spiritual world. One incident blends the two worlds together: the account of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Bonhoeffer would have preferred to have been a simple pastor. Raised in a highly educated family, his path was headed toward success, influence, and impact. Who would have known that circumstances would catapult that impact to a magnitude far beyond even Bonhoeffer’s capacity?

He began his ministry just as Hitler and his Third Reich began to blossom. Bonhoeffer came to the United States and could have served here in relative safety. Instead, he chose to return to Germany where he believed he could help his national kinsmen.

At first, Bonhoeffer’s work focused on preaching, teaching, writing, and ministering to others. He fell in love, got engaged, and served his Lord as best he knew how in a terrible time and place. Eventually, his convictions got in the way of living peaceably with all men. He became convinced Hitler must be stopped and that he had to play some part in stopping him. He was caught, placed in prison, and hanged — not long before Germany surrendered and Hitler killed himself.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Sometimes it is not possible. But Romans 12 gives us several insights into how to make this command a personal reality.

Among the many passages that could give instruction on this subject, we find:

A call to humility
Romans 12:3 (KJV)
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Thinking too highly of self is a sure course to conflict. Whoever places themselves in the path of others is sure to get run over — hit at the very least. Humility is not weakness. No one is instructed to be walked over. But there is a difference between being confident and strong, and getting in the way of others.

A call to affection
Romans 12:10 (KJV)
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Some people are simply mean-spirited and hateful. I find it to be common in the world of social media. In that arena, they’re generally called trolls. They contribute very little, if anything, but they criticize and condemn often.

A call to condescension
Romans 12:16 (KJV)
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

The idea is to be content with necessary things. The desire to gain and have more than is necessary has always been a motive for conflict.

It’s not always possible to live peaceably with all men. There are times we simply must stand, and in standing, we become a target. But the teaching of the Bible and the character of our Lord Jesus Christ should be enough to lead us to resist the devil — mostly by drawing nigh to God.

#LivePeaceably #StandForTruth #ResistTheDevil #FaithfulStand #BiblicalPerspective #CourageInChrist

Live Peaceably — But Stand When You Must: The Call to Peace, Humility, and Courage

Are you struggling to live peaceably with those around you?
The Bible gives real answers for real conflicts. Start today by showing brotherly love to someone you might normally avoid. Send a kind message, lend a helping hand, or speak a word of encouragement — take action to live out Romans 12 in your life!

➡️ Question for you:
What is one way you can actively show humility, affection, or condescension (serving the lowly) this week? Share your answer in the comments!

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Romans 12:18 (KJV) Live Peaceably — But Stand When You Must

Romans 11:25 (KJV) The Mystery God Would Not Have Us Ignore

Romans 11:25 (KJV)

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

God plainly warns us against ignorance concerning this mystery: the temporary setting aside of Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Yet sadly, much confusion and error still abound.

Calvinism misinterprets this passage, twisting it to teach unconditional election to salvation and inevitable damnation for the non-elect.

Anti-semitism grows out of the same blindness. Some hate the Jews for the crucifixion of Christ; others despise them for claiming a land they falsely believe is not theirs. In either case, they are ignorant of God's everlasting covenant with Israel.

Covenant theology likewise falls into error, wrongly teaching that the church has replaced Israel altogether.

But the Scriptures are clear for those who will humbly submit to the Spirit of God.

• God used Israel to bring the Saviour into the world. 
• God used Israel as an object lesson of His character, His promises, and His dealings with mankind.
• God set Israel aside—not in anger or disappointment—but as part of His divine plan to reach every nation, kindred, people, and tongue.
• One day soon, God will turn His focus back to Israel, fulfilling the seventieth week prophesied by Daniel.

This mystery is no marvel to the believing heart.

God loves all mankind.

He desires the salvation of every soul—from every nation, every tribe, every tongue—and yes, including Israel.

#GodsPlanForIsrael #NotReplacementButRestoration #MysteryRevealedInChrist #RejectIgnoranceEmbraceTruth #FulnessOfTheGentiles

The Mystery God Would Not Have Us Ignore: Exposing the Errors of Calvinism, Covenant Theology, and Anti-Semitism

Are you confused about Israel’s role in God’s plan?
The Bible is clear—God is not done with Israel, and He is not willing that any should perish. Don’t let false teachings cloud the truth!

👉 Action Step: Open your Bible and read Romans 9–11 today. Then, boldly share one truth you learn with someone—at church, at home, or online. God’s Word is meant to be lived and shared, not just studied!

💬 Question for you:
What stands out most to you about God’s plan for Israel after reading Romans 11?

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Romans 11:25 (KJV) The Mystery God Would Not Have Us Ignore

Romans 10: 8 (KJV) Available to All

Romans 10: 8 (KJV)

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 

The word being spoken of is the saving Gospel message, as is about to be expounded yet again in the next verse.

It is nigh thee
To understand.
It is nigh thee
Available to all.
It is nigh thee
Spoken of, memorized.
It is nigh thee
Written, documented, and spread.

By the time of this writing, the apostle claims the message of saving faith through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ had already been heard, believed, spread abroad, and was so well dispersed that, though he was preaching it to them once again, it was not a new revelation for them. 

This is a testimony to, 

• The power of the Gospel, 
• The work of the Apostles, and 
• The witness of believers.

And yet, as we discover in verses 14-15, there is still a need for others to be sent, to preach, and to reach those who have never heard or have not yet believed.

#TheWordIsNigh #PreachTheGospel #FaithComethByHearing #RomansRoad

Available to All: The Power and Reach of the Gospel

Are you seeking answers to life's toughest questions? The Gospel is closer than you think—it’s available to all, ready to be understood, spoken, and shared. The Word of faith is nigh thee, and it’s time to act on it!

Action Step: Share the Gospel with someone today. Whether it's through a conversation, a social post, or inviting them to a church service, take that step to spread the Good News.

Question for you: How has the Gospel impacted your life, and how are you sharing it with others? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

or this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Romans 8:2 (KJV) When Fear Ruled the Land

Romans 9:2 (KJV) The Heavy Heart of a Preacher

Romans 9:2 (KJV)

That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

That’s the burden of the preacher. He rejoices and instructs others to do the same, but at the same time, he carries a heart broken for the lost and urges others to share that brokenness.

• He is thankful for his salvation.
• He is thankful for his calling.
• He is thankful for the hope in Christ.
• He is thankful for the fruit of his ministry.
• He is thankful for his local church.
• He is thankful for the light of God’s Word.
• He is thankful to be alive in Christ.

He stands before his congregation with a heart full of rejoicing as he proclaims the Word of God to souls hungry to hear from the God of all heaven.

• But as he looks into their eyes,
• He sees some careless and disinterested.
• He sees empty seats and remembers the names of those who once sat there.
• He thinks of the multitudes who’ve gone anywhere, everywhere, and nowhere—except the house of God.

And for those, he has great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart.

So many never understand the burden of the preacher. They live oblivious to the spiritual battle around them. The preacher preaches victory in Christ, And cries for the casualties of the war.

That’s the burden of the preacher.

#BurdenOfThePreacher #HeavinessForTheLost #ThankfulHeartBrokenSpirit #VictoryAndSorrow #CryForTheCasualties

The Heavy Heart of a Preacher: Joyful in Christ, Broken for Souls

Are you carrying a burden for the lost like a true servant of Christ?
God calls us not only to hear His Word but to act on it. Right now, pray by name for someone you know who is far from God — then send them a personal invitation to join you at church this Sunday.

✅ Action Step: Choose one person today. Pray for them, reach out, and invite them to the house of God.

💬 Question for the comments: Who are you praying for this week, and how will you reach out to them?

🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

or this and, more than 6700 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Romans 9:2 (KJV) The Heavy Heart of a Preacher