"If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Romans 12:18). But, it can prove very difficult as Snoopy discovers. Life gets complicated, hearts misunderstanding and often hardened in opinion.
But, A.W. Pink once said, "Few things more adorn and beautify a Christian profession than exercising and manifesting a spirit of peace." Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." He didn't say 'peace lovers' (peace at any price) but "peace makers" or those who try their best to engender peace and tranquility. Everett Dirksen remarked: "The oilcan is mightier than the sword."
All of this is nobly stated but in Paul's statement there exists a qualifier - "IF POSSIBLE." Sometimes, as was the Apostle Paul's experience, disagreements can become pretty sharp. Such is life! We dig in our heels and refuse to budge. Remember, he and Barnabas were heatedly on opposite sides with respect to John Mark, who had abandoned them on their first missionary trek. When it was time to leave for the second journey Barnabas wanted to give John another chance. But, not Paul.
This is the recorded story: "After some days Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.' Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus" (Acts 15: 36-39). Notice "a sharp disagreement" occurred. On another occasion Paul took firm opposition to the Jews who had come from Jerusalem taking exception to the Gospel of pure grace.
It seems in life there are some spots which the oil can't reach! So, we move on, sometimes in separate directions. God understands "for He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" (Psalm 103:14). And we are 'dirt' dust, not 'gold' dust. And He knows that too.
Therefore, we try to get along with others but for perceived truth's sake and putting God first we may well find ourselves in disagreement even with Godly people. At this point, at the very least, it is incumbent upon us to agree to disagree peacefully. But it sometimes just doesn't happen this way. And so, like Paul and Barnabas, we go our ways separately, hopefully with later resolve. In the end Paul did invite John Mark to get on board in a later effort.
dick christen
