Hebrews 12:14-17 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." The original language for "make every effort", presents a picture of a hunter pursuing his game. His family is hungry, so he will try every technique that he knows of in order to carry his prize home with him. His attitude is not, "I'll try, but I don't know if I can." No, it is: "I'll be home with our dinner." This is the same kind of attitude we need to have in living in peace and being holy. It is the attitude of Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." You may say, "What happens if the other person won't live at peace with me?" I think that Romans 12:18 has the best answer: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Of course, we can't make any one live in peace, but from our side we can continually extend the offer of peace. The intensity of our search for peace with others, needs also to apply to our pursuit of holiness in our relationship with God. Holiness carries with it the idea of separation and dedication. The idea is that we belong to God and all that we have and are, are to be as He chooses. Holiness is to enter into the Holy of Holies into His presence that when we leave we carry a reflection of His character with us. In a similar way as a rechargeable battery carries with it an electrical charge after it has been connected to the source. Not the same force but the same kind. Peace and holiness must go together. If we refuse to be at peace, we cannot enter into His presence; if we don't enter into His presence, we cannot live at peace. It is Jesus who shows us what peace and holiness look like, and it is His blood at the cross that makes it possible for us to participate in the process.

Pursue Peace