It’s not complicated
How easy do you find it getting along with others? The church in Rome were a mixed bunch, and had to work hard at getting along with each other. But that’s not the only challenge they had, the other difficulty was how to relate to people outside the church.
Paul has some really good advice for them in Romans 12:14-13:10, which we would do well to follow. It’s not complicated; Bless others, empathise with them, pursue peace. By doing so, the Church in Rome is submitting to authorities, but at the same time is also subverting the power structures, because love, civility and benevolence has the power to turn Rome on its head.
I’d love to see the church practice these more in the public square, and turn our country on its head, wouldn’t you?
Brendan