“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
All around our country and the world you will hear people talking about wanting everyone to live in peace. Very few people really want war and fighting. In our country everyone talks about everyone having to live in peace and harmony with each other. It is pushed so much that a person cannot disagree with anyone or else you are not at peace and in harmony.
In this verse, however, it is seen that not only to live in peace but also to be holy. For one to be holy means one is separate or set apart. Being set apart means there are differences. Jesus was the most holy person that ever lived, yet there was not peace between Him and the leaders of the temples. His holiness separated Him from them. Often it is seen in many churches the desire to be at peace with everyone so much that everything is permissible. Sinful lifestyles are accepted in the church just to be at peace with everyone. This is not shown in this verse.
You are to strive to be at peace with everyone, but not at the price of forsaking holiness. If your holiness is compromised to gain peace, you may have gained peace with the world, but have lost peace with God. If you do not live a life of holiness, you will not see God. Who is more important to be at peace with: God or the world? The world’s peace is temporary and conditional. God’s peace is permanent and only on one condition–belief in Jesus.
Today strive to be at peace with all people, but not at the price of your holiness and relation with God. Be holy in everything you do and flee all sin. Sometimes the world will be at peace with you, other times they will fight you because of your holiness and walk with God. Following Jesus will bring about division, because He demands full allegiance to Him and Him alone. God does not share His throne nor His honor. The world wants to be loyal to everyone as needed. If it is in your means to be at peace with someone, then make that peace. Do not give the world a bad reason to be at war with you.
I pray that today God will strengthen you to be holy as He is holy; that God will reveal ways to bring about peace with other people; that God will strengthen you to not compromise your walk with Him; that God will give you the words and actions to say and do that will only bring Him honor and glory; and that God will help you see Him as He is.
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