Peace that is possible

Peace that is feasible. Peace that is feasible.

Key points

• Lawmakers, Governor expect higher revenues, adopt $7.8 billion estimated revenue for Fiscal Year 2028.
• If feasible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. – Romans 12: 18-19.
• The Grand Opera House: Meridian's history, mystery, and a remarkable second act.
• Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975.
• Speaker Mike Johnson won't seek reelection as House GOP leader and other national midterm election news.

Peace that is feasible. Peace that is feasible. By: Alistair Begg – November 5, 2026.

For context, the Bible is a wonderfully practical book. Its wisdom is both rich and realistic, and the longer we live, the more meaningfully we hear it speaking to our every situation. As we age, plenty of of us realize that our parents were often correct in their warnings and wisdom; and as we walk by the light of God's word, so it will be proven right in time, every time.

Paul displays this timeless, realistic wisdom here. On one hand, this sounds simplistic: just try to be at peace with everyone. It's not tough to understand. But that is not all he's saying. Meanwhile, the instruction is preceded by two qualifications: "if possible" and "so far as it depends on you." The implication is that it may not always be feasible!

Paul is not providing a loophole here. He's not telling us to be at peace so long as we can control our temper or emotions, but otherwise we're free to harbor bitterness. His call to us is to ensure that any ongoing conflict in our lives is in spite of us, not since of us. The responsibility for ongoing animosity must never be traceable to reluctance for reconciliation on our part.

But even if we've done our part, there are two situations in which peace may not be feasible. One is when the other party is unwilling to be at peace with us. We may be dealing with someone intent on harming us and with no interest in resolving the conflict. In that situation, it may not be feasible to change that person or prevent their cruelty-but it will be feasible for us not to fight back. When we ensure that we are not contributing to the conflict, we are pursuing peace "so far as it depends on" us.

In practice, the other obstacle arises when the terms of peace are incompatible with principles of holiness, truth, and righteousness. The writer of Hebrews had such a situation in mind when he instructed his readers, "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12: 14). These are not two disjointed instructions; our striving for peace and for holiness must not take us in separate directions. The pursuit of peace is not to become the pursuit of peace at any cost. Some of us need to take care that our distaste for conflict and confrontation does not lead us to pursue peace at the cost of righteousness.

You cannot change a heart; that is the Lord's business. You must not compromise your integrity; that is the Lord's chief concern. As much as it is up to you, that you pursue peace, but God is giving you an imperative. Do you need to be prompted by this command to temper your words, change your behavior, or create the first step toward repairing a conflict, today? Regarding the Author(s).

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. After graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio. He has written a number of books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. His Daily Devotionals are presented here via a syndication agreement. Faith Alistair Begg November 2, 2026.

Shared joy is a great expression of sympathy. We typically employ the word sympathy to describe a shared grief-but it applies to joy too. More From This Author. Faith Alistair Begg October 30, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg October 29, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg October 28, 2026. Faith Alistair Begg November 4, 2026. At home in Christ. Faith Matt Friedeman November 1, 2026. Beware what you love; you become your object of affection.

God can take the broken pieces of our lives, the horrific mistakes, the botched opportunities, the wicked outcomes emerging from our evil hearts and employ them as reminders as we move forward for the Kingdom. Faith Alistair Begg October 27, 2026.

Do not settle for a superficial, subdued, or fake love. Do not let your heart be cold even while you are saying all the right things. Let your love be genuine. News Jeremy Pittari November 4, 2026.

Lawmakers, Governor expect higher revenues, adopt $7.8 billion estimated revenue for Fiscal Year 2028. News Michelle L. Cost, Associated Press November 4, 2026.

Vance tries to distance himself from Iran war after GOP's deep losses in midterm elections. News Associated Press November 4, 2026.

Speaker Mike Johnson won't seek reelection as House GOP leader and other national midterm election news. Business Meredith Biesinger October 22, 2026. New Albany's claim to cake fame: Sugaree's Bakery. Business Frank Corder October 20, 2026. Fairbanks Morse Defense doubling manufacturing capacity at its Pascagoula facility. Business Cass Rutledge October 20, 2026. Lumber manufacturer investing $8.3 million in Macon expansion. Culture Marisa Atkinson November 3, 2026. 'Are You Ready?!' Hotty Toddy turns 100. Culture Meredith Biesinger November 3, 2026.

Notably, the Grand Opera House: Meridian's history, mystery, and a remarkable second act. Culture Alistair Begg November 3, 2026. Opinion Russ Latino November 4, 2026.

Democrats took Republicans behind the woodshed. The GOP has only itself to blame. Opinion Sid Salter November 4, 2026.

Like other tax proposals, California voters on Nov. 3 test-drove a tax on billionaires. Opinion Russ Latino November 3, 2026. A time for choosing: America's future is bigger than one election.

Taken together, the developments around peace that is possible point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.