I think about Romans 12:18 often:

> If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

This is my goal in all my interactions. But it's complicated by the previous verse:

> Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

Truth and kindness can be hard to reconcile. This is why it's such a miracle that the Psalmist prophetically declares:

> Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

It is impossible for God's rigid truth and peace among men to coexist as long as our sin persists. You can't have peace with an angry person. You can't get a lazy person to exercise mercy. You can't get a person bound by their lust to tell the truth about it. These are intractable problems without divine help. This is why it's such good news that Jesus has sent us his Holy Spirit:

> It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

The Sprit first softens our hearts to admit our faults. Then the real work of righteousness and the Kingdom of Heaven can begin. Finally, that work is evaluated.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.