Striving for Peace with Everyone

Peace and holiness have something in common: without either, you will not see the Lord. That’s what Hebrews 12:14 tells us. It first tells us to strive for peace with everyone. At times, this is easier said than done. The truth is that we like people who like us and think like us, and if we’re honest, there are some people that we just don’t like. Feeling like we’re not appreciated for our efforts, mostly in the workplace, can make living at peace with others, particularly challenging. But the writer of Hebrews was inspired by God to tell us that being at peace with everyone qualifies us to see the Lord.

And holiness helps us make Jesus visible. When we’re not at peace with others, we will probably grumble and complain about them. That doesn’t allow others to see God in us, and holiness seems far away. But holiness is something we should strive for every day. In Leviticus, even the Jews were told to be holy as God is holy. This standard remains even today.

To be holy means to uphold what God deems important. It also means to remain dedicated to him and the work he has called you to do. Holiness isn’t like a robe we reserve to wear only on Sundays. That’s just a show of holiness, anyway. Committing to God, listening and obeying him each day, is a way of life. We look more like Jesus the more we do it.

So, how do we obey God? Hebrews gives us a good starting place — strive for peace with everyone and be holy. If we don’t feel at peace today, let’s pray to God and allow him to fix our hearts towards others. When our heart is at peace with those we interact with, God is able to make us holy and do his best work through us.

DAILY CHALLENGE

Are you at peace with everyone in your everyday life? If not, think about the one person or group of people you currently have conflict with. Pray and ask God how the issue can be resolved so that you can truly live out Hebrews 12:14, to be at peace with all men. Be quick to act on what God says.