一群老朋友相聚，有兩張面孔特別引人注目，一張因憤怒而面目猙獰，另一張則因受傷害而眉頭深鎖。這兩位老朋友的重逢已轉變為怒吼，其中一位女士因為另一位女士的信仰而斥責她。爭吵持續，直到那位先發聲怒斥對方的女士氣呼呼地離開餐廳，留下的另一位倍感震驚和羞辱。

現今的時代，真的是一個無法包容不同意見的時代嗎？兩個人的意見不一致，並不代表任何一方不懷好意。嚴厲或寸步不讓的言論，絕對無法說服別人，堅守觀點也不該失去尊重或同理心。

在羅馬書12章，對於如何互相尊重與彼此和睦有美好的教導（10、16節）。耶穌也指出，凡相信祂的人都有一個明顯的特徵，那就是彼此相愛（約翰福音13章35節）。驕傲和憤怒不但能輕易使我們偏離正軌，更是與上帝要我們彼此相愛的吩咐背道而馳。

當我們情緒失控時，很難不去責怪別人，但聖經告訴我們：「若是能行，總要盡力與眾人和睦」（羅馬書12章18節）。這表示你我有責任活出反映基督樣式的生活，並且責無旁貸！我們每一個屬於基督的人，都有這份責任。

Two faces at the table stood out—one contorted by bitter anger, the other twisted in emotional pain. A reunion of old friends had just erupted into shouting, with one woman berating another for her beliefs. The contention continued until the first woman stomped out of the restaurant, leaving the other shaken and humiliated.

Are we really living in a time when a difference of opinion can’t be tolerated? Just because two people can’t agree doesn’t mean that either is evil. Speech that’s harsh or unyielding is never persuasive, and strong views shouldn’t overcome decency or compassion.

Romans 12 is a great guide for how to “honor one another,” and “live in harmony” with other people (vv. 10, 16). Jesus indicated that an identifying characteristic for believers in Him is the love we have for each other (John 13:35). While pride and anger can easily derail us, they’re in direct contrast to the love God wants us to show to others.

It’s a challenge not to blame others when we lose control of our emotions, but the words “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” show us that the responsibility for living a life that reflects Christ’s character can’t be shifted to anyone else (Romans 12:18). It lies with each one of us who bears His name.