“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 (NAS)
If there ever was a time when Christ’s followers ought to pursue peace and holiness, 2009 is a good year to pursue them. When we earnestly and diligently make “peace with all people” a habitual way of life, we are obeying Scripture. This is to personify the royal law of love: love your neighbor as yourself. It causes the consideration of others to become our philosophy of life.
Despite the post modern focus on peace, it alone cannot solve the world’s problems. Simply having peaceful relations with others will not suffice to gain entrance to God’s throne room. Peace is good and proper, yet peace requires a helper to gain an audience before God. No matter how peaceable we may be, to live and die in a spiritually unholy condition is to exclude ourselves from the very One who commands us to pursue peace with others. He also commands us to pursue a lifestyle of holiness.
The same Christ of Calvary that takes away our sin and give us peace, is also the One who cleanses us from all unrighteousness and gives us His righteousness. He clothes us with His holiness!
Just as peace is a daily pursuit, so is sanctification. Without these two essentials, we will never see the Lord. BUT with both, we shall see the King!
Dear Father, thank you for your peace and sanctification. Grant to us the spiritual fortitude that we may faithfully pursue both daily. In the name of Jesus I pray. AMEN
Be encouraged in your daily pursuit,