Pursuing Peace With All People

-December 4, 2024-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

(Hebrews 12:14).

Peace is not only something we get, but something we give. It is way of life in the way we treat people. We must choose peace over conflict.

Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. He said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” Peacemaking isn’t easy to do. We must love the sinner but hate the sin. We can’t compromise the truth of God’s Word just to keep the peace.

The writer of Hebrews combines these two elements: peace and holiness. We can’t control how others act and respond to us, but we should do our best to diffuse volatile situations. Paul said in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

David spoke this same truth in Psalm 34:14, “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.” David did his best to seek and pursue peace with King Saul, even to the point of sparing his life on two different occasions. But as much he tried, Saul hardened his heart and continued to seek to kill him.

We love peace. It is a fruit of the Spirit that can have a powerful effect on people. We must seek and pursue it with all our hearts. When we respond in love as Christ would, the results are usually good. Because we have Christ, the Prince of Peace, we can live in peace in a world of chaos, confusion, and conflict.

Have a blessed day pursuing peace, and practicing it with others. Stay safe and healthy.

Pursue peace passionately and you’ll make a difference eternally.

Dean