Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Hebrews 12:14-16 (KJV)
We are instructed to follow peace in scripture because the consequences of bitterness and other ill effects that arise will take its toll on us, and those around us. The pursuit of peace can be elusive in a world of turmoil and unrest, and yet our loving Savior has given us a precious promise concerning peace — Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [John 14:27 NKJV] My prayer for you today is that the peace that is yours by inheritance and promise be embraced, so that no root of bitterness will ever spring up and trouble you. Jesus said peace I leave with you (an inheritance); and my peace I give to you (a promise). So we have the assurance of peace if we choose to take Him at His word.
How do we follow peace with all? What if someone is unreasonable or mean spirited? Holiness is required to follow peace with all, in that, a strength of character and a yearning to see the Lord drives our behavior. Since no one will see the Lord without holiness, we are to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; and I am referring to a lifestyle that shows reverence for Him.
God does not want you or me to fail, so we are instructed to look diligently towards Him. Peace is the antidote for bitterness and where there is peace no root of bitterness can spring up.
Bitterness causes emotional and spiritual damage to our innermost being, and so we are to be diligent in guarding against allowing ourselves to be defiled. There is a path to peace that we must follow, which is rooted in patience and love. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself; is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
So let us love more perfectly, as we follow peace with all. The peace of God is good for us, and for those whom we encounter. Because whatever is in us, will come out of us as we speak to others, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. When we speak peace in turbulent situations, we are blessed, because peacemakers are blessed.
Be blessed today as you follow peace.
Maranatha
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