Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 NABRE
The Letter to the Hebrews is written to a Jewish Christian community. It is a long document reflecting Jewish teaching over the Christian model. We see in the section with the quoted verse a call to proactively take steps to attain the goal of eternal life. Specifically we should strive for peace in our human relationships and holiness toward God. These verses are a reminder that we progress toward a goal not as isolated individuals but as a community. It begins calling for peace, which in biblical language is not the absence of conflict but full harmony in relationships with others. We seek peace with other members of the Christian community, with neighbors, non-church members and society at large. Full peace requires the good will of both parties yet we are only responsible for our part. The conduct of Christians should always be peaceable, always fostering reconciliation, never fueling tensions so that God-given peace may touch the lives of those around us. Peace in ourselves and in the community is the fruit of God’s grace and discipline. Then we read about holiness, as members of Christ following, having accepted Christ we have been made holy through the sacrifice Christ made. This holiness is a requirement to see God. God is pure and holy and we should be pure and holy to be in God’s presence seeing God. Holiness is to pervade all aspects of us and our lives. We are made holy and need to be holy to see God.
We are on a journey to glory in Christ. In this glory we fulfill our deepest desire of our human heart, which is to see God, face-to-face. To see God we must be like God, holy.
Do you live peaceably? Are you able to be a holy example for those around you?
We are on a journey to glory in Christ. In this glory we fulfill our deepest desire of our human heart, which is to see God, face-to-face. Share on X#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#BeAnEncourager #holy #peace#Hebrews #everybodyalways #god#jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray#prayer #goodnews #loveeachother#godisgreat #thisVineyard#youversion #everythingalways