Hebrews 12:14

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy, wthout holiness no one will see the LORD."

Wow!  Talk about a one-two punch.  This one could very well  put us down and out for the count.  The amount of material contained in this verse could create a thesis, but I don't believe anyone, including me, is ready for that.  Or maybe we need to be.  At any rate, let's see what the Lord is putting in our hearts here.

There are two direct COMMANDS, not suggestions, in this verse.  (1) Make evey effort to live in peace with all men; and (2) to be holy.  Why are we given these commands?  Because, as the verse continues, without holiness, no one will see the LORD.  Houston, I think we have a problem.

Let's start with the first command: make every effort to live in peace with all men.  Two words immediately hit me - EVERY and ALL.  Hmmm, make every effort.  Not a partial, not half-hearted, not just when we feel like it, not just the ones that are comfortaable, but EVERY effort.  Leave no stone untured. Leave no room for "could haves" or "should haves".  When all is said and done, when we look back and say "there's nothing left to be done, I've done it all," only then will we have made EVERY effort.  That takes work.  Hard, soul-searching, unpleasant, uncomfortale work. 

Next, it says "with ALL men..." Again, not some, not a few, not several, not many, not my friends, not my family, not my etc. etc, etc, but ALL men.  Friend or Foe.  No distinction here.   We cannot harbor any negative feelings whatsoever towards anyone, for out of negativeness comes anger, hate, bitterness and eventually violence.  Even for the Christian, for yes, we murder with our tongues.  Unkindness in any way, left to fester in the heart, will come out our mouths, killing reputations and spirits.  Gossip and Slander, the twin sisters. Oh yes, that we do.  Most effectively.

The second command is to "be holy."  Why?  Because "without holiness no one will see God."  That rips at my heart.  Witout holiness no one will see God!!  So, what is holiness?  To be holy means to be set apart for God!!!  We must have a higher quality of righteousness than that of the scribes and Pharisees (matt 12:7).  The New Testament teaches that true holiness expresses itself in patient and loving service for God while awaiting the Lord's return.  The first five books of the Bible are filled with God's command:  "Be holy, because I the Lord your God, am holy."  There's a contemporary song that goes "I want to be holy, set apart for you my Master........"  We all WANT this, but are we willing to accept the sacrafice it takes to BECOME this?  Are we willing to separate ourselves from worldly values and live our lives with kingdom values? 

"This is love for God: to obey is commands.  And his commands are not burdensome . . . " (1jn 5:3)

If we truly love God, we will obey.  It's that simple.  And that hard.  But that critical.  Just remember, "all things are possible with God."

Sweet Jesus, it's so hard, so hard.  I want to be holy as you are holy, but I fail so miserably.  Strengthen me by your Holy Spirit, fill me with holy courage and determination to do your will.  Enable me to walk the walk that glorifies your name and brings me closer to you.  I want to see your face, O God.  I want to be holy.  I love you, Lord, I love you....................