Friday, 7 August 2026

Romans part 192 - Life in the Body 17

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Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in shalom with all people.

In the words of Rabbi Avram Belinski (as spoken in "The Frisco Kid,") "Wonderful, wonderful!" Live in shalom with everybody. Before we can do it, we've got to understand what "it" really is. Shalom is complete wholeness, perfection, lacking nothing. James 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

We are all born missing that something, and we spend the rest of our lives looking for it, which is the endurance mentioned in the previous verse. Many people look to fill those hurt places in error through drugs codependent relationships, or other destructive behaviors. It's really quite simple. What's missing from the time we are born, is a relationship with Yeshua. So let's restate our subject verse, giving account for our definition of Shalom.

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live with all people in the fullness of your relationship with Yeshua, as a reflection of His character in every situation of life." Yeshua called His way of life a "new commandment."

John 13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you must love one another.

And, this is immediately followed by a promised blessing that everyone will know ...

John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

The commandment to love one another is not new, it is actually in the Torah. Leviticus 19:18b ...love your neighbor as yourself ... What's new is the example Yeshua gave us. 1 John 4:9 The love of God was revealed among us by this - that God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

And the last word for today also comes from First John. 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.

So, let's live for Yeshua and each other in shalom. Shalom shalom.