-November 17, 2023-
Good morning beloved, happy Friday,
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
(Hebrews 12:14).
Peace and holiness go together like a hand and glove. Peace is something people in the world are searching for, longing for, but not attaining. Holiness though is not something most people even think about. Peace and holiness are only attainable through the Lord Jesus Christ. What a different world it would be if everyone practiced both! We would all get along.
For us as believers in Christ, we have peace with God and when we pray and thank the Lord, experience the peace of God. We are thus able to live in peace with others, promote peace, and be peacemakers. Jesus said in the beatitudes, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
We are responsible to live in peace with others, no matter how cantankerous, belligerent, and hostile they may be. Sometimes it isn’t possible no matter how much we try, but we should always pursue it. Paul wrote in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” We see wars around us, conflicts between nations, conflicts between individuals and families, and disputes in neighborhoods, and friction in the workplace. The Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He alone gives us peace so that we can show His peace to people in our daily lives.
Pursuing peace is essential as is holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. When we get saved, we are made holy in God’s sight. This is our position, but it must also be our practice. Personal holiness is sorely lacking among so many professing Christians today. Some go to church on Sunday, but don’t live Christ Monday through Saturday.
Personal holiness is comprised of two distinct components: being separated from the world and being set apart for the Lord. They are intrinsically and inseparably linked; you can’t have one without the other. Being holy gets down and dirty in the nitty and gritty of life. J. Vernon McGee used to say, “It’s where the rubber meets the road.” It must be practical to be useful. The hymn writer William D. Longstaff wrote, “Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; much time spend in secret with Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shall be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.” To be holy is to be like Jesus.
Have a blessed peace filled and holy day. Stay safe and healthy.
Pursuing peace and holiness should be our great desire, the pursuit of which will never end, so we should never tire,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 