November 2nd 2025
Live By The Ideal Thinking Of, “As Far As It Depends On You, Live At Peace With Everyone!”
Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
What a wonderful world this would be if everyone tried to live by the ideal thinking of “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” There is only one person you can control in this cursed world! Of course, that person is you! And even then, within you there is a conflict always being waged between your immortal soul and your sinful nature. The adage pictured as having an angel on one shoulder, and a demon on the other shoulder whispering in your ear thoughts! On any given day you may be favoring the sinful ear or thought.
In this country most of us view success by how much money and stuff we, or others, possess. How we obtained this wealth is very important, but even more importantly is how we consider this worldly stuff! Jesus taught that we all need to be working first on our heavenly wealth, before we spend too much time amassing worldly possessions. Jesus asks His followers a question, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Are your worldly possessions evidence of a blessing or have you spent too much time amassing stuff instead of gaining knowledge to become knowledgeable of what would Jesus have you do?
Paul wrote about the gift of salvation, as we cannot be good enough to be rewarded with access to heaven! For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Since we are given our salvation, we cannot claim we earned it, so we cannot or should not boast about having obtained it. Jesus told His followers to work on becoming more like Him. Then we need to tell other people about how Jesus in our life has improved it. Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33).
Paul wrote about this form of worship by devoting our physical being to be directed by God. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1). We need to study God’s Word to improve our outlook on life. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24-25).
If you are reading this then you need to believe that our Bible has been given to us so we can better direct our lives in this cursed world. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12). Bible study is always a good use of your time, while you are still living in this world!
Okay, here it comes again, I cannot write these commentaries without emphasizing the necessity to regularly attend a church of your choice! The writer of Hebrews pictures you amid a large number of believers who a witnessing knowledge of Jesus Christ. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2a). Remember, Jesus promised to be with us, when two or more gather in My Name. So, the size of the meeting is not very important, the willingness to meet in His Name is the important thing!
The commitment to attend is the most important part, and to be with likeminded people creates the environment pleasing to Jesus, so He joins in the celebration. The language becomes more understandable and joyous when we sing together to phrase God. Paul wrote about this to the church in Ephesus, and for us! Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-20).
Yes, I know we are celebrating Halloween today! Here is a description obtained from the Internet.
Halloween, a holiday observed annually on October 31 and noted for its pagan origins and its Christian roots as well as its secular traditions. In much of Europe and most of North America, observance of Halloween is today largely nonreligious, celebrated with parties, spooky costumes, pumpkin carvings called jack-o’-lanterns, and trick or treat. Halloween also marks the beginning of Allhallowtide, a Christian triduum (Latin: “period of three days”) dedicated to remembering the dead that begins with All Hallows’ Eve (October 31) and is followed by All Hallows’, or All Saints’, Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2).
Wishing you and your family a safe and fun day, especially for families with young (at heart) people who will go “trick or treating” tonight!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
What a wonderful world this would be if everyone tried to live by the ideal thinking of “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” There is only one person you can control in this cursed world! Of course, that person is you! And even then, within you there is a conflict always being waged between your immortal soul and your sinful nature. The adage pictured as having an angel on one shoulder, and a demon on the other shoulder whispering in your ear thoughts! On any given day you may be favoring the sinful ear or thought.
In this country most of us view success by how much money and stuff we, or others, possess. How we obtained this wealth is very important, but even more importantly is how we consider this worldly stuff! Jesus taught that we all need to be working first on our heavenly wealth, before we spend too much time amassing worldly possessions. Jesus asks His followers a question, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Are your worldly possessions evidence of a blessing or have you spent too much time amassing stuff instead of gaining knowledge to become knowledgeable of what would Jesus have you do?
Paul wrote about the gift of salvation, as we cannot be good enough to be rewarded with access to heaven! For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Since we are given our salvation, we cannot claim we earned it, so we cannot or should not boast about having obtained it. Jesus told His followers to work on becoming more like Him. Then we need to tell other people about how Jesus in our life has improved it. Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33).
Paul wrote about this form of worship by devoting our physical being to be directed by God. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1). We need to study God’s Word to improve our outlook on life. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24-25).
If you are reading this then you need to believe that our Bible has been given to us so we can better direct our lives in this cursed world. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12). Bible study is always a good use of your time, while you are still living in this world!
Okay, here it comes again, I cannot write these commentaries without emphasizing the necessity to regularly attend a church of your choice! The writer of Hebrews pictures you amid a large number of believers who a witnessing knowledge of Jesus Christ. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2a). Remember, Jesus promised to be with us, when two or more gather in My Name. So, the size of the meeting is not very important, the willingness to meet in His Name is the important thing!
The commitment to attend is the most important part, and to be with likeminded people creates the environment pleasing to Jesus, so He joins in the celebration. The language becomes more understandable and joyous when we sing together to phrase God. Paul wrote about this to the church in Ephesus, and for us! Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-20).
Yes, I know we are celebrating Halloween today! Here is a description obtained from the Internet.
Halloween, a holiday observed annually on October 31 and noted for its pagan origins and its Christian roots as well as its secular traditions. In much of Europe and most of North America, observance of Halloween is today largely nonreligious, celebrated with parties, spooky costumes, pumpkin carvings called jack-o’-lanterns, and trick or treat. Halloween also marks the beginning of Allhallowtide, a Christian triduum (Latin: “period of three days”) dedicated to remembering the dead that begins with All Hallows’ Eve (October 31) and is followed by All Hallows’, or All Saints’, Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2).
Wishing you and your family a safe and fun day, especially for families with young (at heart) people who will go “trick or treating” tonight!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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