Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14
Hunting seasons across the United States generally begin in late September and conclude in early January. The seasons depend on the kind of game being hunted—deer, elk, bear, turkey, for example—and often begin earliest for those who hunt with bow and arrow rather than rifles. Theologian Charles H. Spurgeon writes of an Alpine hunter in pursuit of an antelope, who “will leap from crag to crag, will wear out the live-long day, will spend the night upon the mountain’s cold brow. He then descends to the valleys and up again to the hills as though he could never tire, and could never rest until he has found his prey.” The hunter’s pursuit is a good picture of what the word “strive” means in today’s verse.
Striving is a present imperative command to continually press hard toward a particular goal—in the context of this verse, that goal is peace. It is not optional, but necessary for every Christian. And it requires diligence. But the pursuit of peace is intentionally accompanied by the pursuit of holiness. Spurgeon says that in pursuing peace, you must not “violate holiness by conforming to the ways of unregenerate and impure men.”
It would be futile to press after peace unless you are also pursuing holiness. Continually draw nearer to God with a clean conscience (Hebrews 10:22). An attitude of worship, praise, and thanksgiving contributes to the type of inner peace that makes pursuing peace with others possible. Spend time with the Lord and develop a consciousness of His constant presence. Ask Him to lead you in mindsets and behavior that reflect His righteousness. Dr. J. I. Packer wrote, “When we realize that real holiness is a real necessity, it is a tremendous encouragement to know also that by the power of the Spirit a holy life is possible even for spiritual weaklings such as we are, and so of course we should want and seek it.” Keep on keeping on. Pray for believers serving in the government to practice peace and holiness as they deal with others.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 12:14
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Hebrews 10:19-25
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
