Peace and Holiness - A devotional

Photo Credit:  Chelsea Pham

Hebrews 12:14

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord.

I like this verse.  I brings peace and holiness together.
In my life long "church" experiences too often I have seen these things imposed
differently and not in a way that coexists.

How does one live a holy life and not feel compelled to
call those who do not out?
So often I cringe at posts I see on Facebook or attitudes
coming from fellow believers...and even myself...
as we see the sin in someone else's life.
Some sins even seem to bring some Christians to a militant
response when they are felt to be worse than our own specks.

Sin is sin.

It only takes ONE sin in a whole life to cause our separation from
eternal life with our Heavenly Father.

Each of us has sinned.

However, because of Christ's work on the cross and resurrection
we are offered the hope and reality of salvation.
A healing between us and the One who created us.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is our guide and help to live a
holy life...however...it will surely not be a "sin free" life.
However, the intent is changed and over time
the desires to please the Lord are stronger and stronger.
This is what we often call the process of sanctification.

All along this way, though, we must not begin to think
ourselves better....or more worthy.
None of us is worthy.
It was not because of anything special in us that
we have received God's salvation.
It is because of His love and the incredible sacrifice
Jesus gave on the cross.

Let us live in peace with each other and those around us...
and be thankful.... even as we live
the holy life to which we have been called.

It breaks my heart over and over again when "holiness"
resembles hate.
Think about it.