"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
Hebrews 12:14
Part 1
Chapter twelve of Hebrews teaches us how we should endure chastening from the Lord. Our ultimate example is Jesus Christ, we are always to look to Him (Hebrews 12:1-4). We should be encouraged by the discipline the Lord sends us. God’s chastening proves our “sonship.” But be careful not to focus on the process of His chastening but rather on the result of God’s discipline, which is necessary for us (Hebrews 12:5-15). The end of the chapter warns us to not be like Esau, don’t deny, don’t throw away your inheritance in the Kingdom for temporary satisfaction (Hebrews 12:16-29). Our verse for today is found in this context.
Verse 14 implores us to “get right” and “be right” with others.
“Follow peace with all men.”
“Follow peace!” To “follow” is “to run swiftly…[to] catch a person or thing, to run after, to press on.” It is used “figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal, to pursue…”[1] (Thayer).
Our mission is clear, we are in the pursuit of peace with everyone.
“Give peace a chase as if in a hunt”[2] (Robertson).
“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).
“And let him be turned from evil and do good; searching for peace and going after it with all his heart” (1 Peter 3:11, Bible in Basic English).
When we are at peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are in a position to help edify them.
“Let us, therefore, follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19).
“And holiness.”
“Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…” (Luke 11:2a). It should be of no surprise that our Father, whose name is “Hallowed,” and means to “make holy,” expects His children to live holy lives.
“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
How can we, even saved sinners, live a holy life? Tomorrow we will keep pursuing this idea of holiness.
Quote: “We don’t enjoy discipline when we get it. It is painful. But later, after we have learned our lesson from it, we will enjoy the peace that comes from doing what is right” (Hebrews 12:11, Harvest Study Bible).
[1] J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.