Peace & Holiness

Verse of the day: Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Living in peace, and unity, with others is of utmost importance to the Lord. As born again believers, we are called to be at peace with others (especially those of the house of faith; in other words, our brothers and sisters in Christ); Matt 5:8; Rom 12:18. This chapter of Hebrews has much to say about how we are to respond to affliction, especially if that affliction involves God's chastening. We must not forget that when we are allowed to suffer affliction, it is being allowed by God, and He has a reason, a purpose, and an end, that will ultimately be for our good (Rom 8:28), and His glory. The fact of the matter is that when we are suffering, we have a tendency, if we are not careful, to get bitter toward God, and others. So, it is of utmost importance that we are careful to be at peace with both God and man. To be at peace with others it to be careful about our holiness, and humility. When we allow bitterness to take root, we say, and do, things that are less than righteous or holy. We often become bitter, and unforgiving, because we refuse to humble ourselves under the authority of God's Word (usually because it speaks to us, and directs us, to respond in the opposite way in which we are desiring to respond). If we are not willing to forgive the offenses of others; if we are not willing to patiently endure whatever suffering God allows, then we will certainly not be at peace with God or man. Sadly, because of what is going on in our country, and world today, I see a lot of division amongst God's people; as if it is not enough that the world already persecutes us for believing God, and His Word. I see too many Christians taking unbiblical stands on issues, and justifying it with a verse, or two, taken out of context. Why then allow Satan to use that to draw us into a divisive arguments? When the Lord calls us to stay away from such disputes (1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 2:23; Tit 3:9). Instead, make it an opportunity to practice being patiently silent, and praying for the misinformed individual; and should the opportunity arise to have a one-on-one conversation (without cursings or insults; that would be the practicing "holiness" part), we can then practice speaking the truth in love (and learning to "agree to disagree", if necessary; or being willing, ourselves, to admit that we may be wrong in our perspective; that would be the practicing "humility" part), remembering that we are called to live at peace with others, as much as is possible within ourselves. How the other person responds is between them, and the Lord, let us not feed into the divisiveness (Rom 12:18). When all is said and done, let us be careful to represent Jesus with honor and glory in each conversation, and response, we have with, and toward, those we disagree with or those whom God allows to afflict us.