Pursue peace and holiness

Scripture

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NASB)

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NIV)

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14 NKJV)

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 NLT)

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14 ESV)

Observation

1. Pursue and strive for peace with all men.  Make every effort and work hard at living in peace with everyone.

2. Pursue and strive to be holy.  Work hard at and make every effort to be holy.

3. Without holiness I will not see God.

A. How does living at peace and being holy go together?

Sin destroys my relationship with God and people.

Living a self centered life destroys my relationship God and people.

B. what does it mean to pursue any strive to be holy?  Isn't that a work of the Holy Spirit?  How do I strive to be Holy?

My efforts must be empowered by the Holy Spirit.  It is He who begins and completes the work in me.  I am not absolved of responsibility,  I can choose to cooperate with God or rebel against him.  I must submit myself to the leadership and authority of God in my life.

Application

A. Do everything I can to live at peace with others.  That does not mean allowing then to abuse or take advantage of me but to does mean to live dead to self.  It also means speaking the truth in live and confronting when necessary.

B.  Do everything. I can to live a holy life.  I am unable to do this on my own will power but I can remove websites, bounce eyes, etc.  I need to work out my salvation.

Prayer

Enable me to live at peace either others.

Enable my to live in holiness and  honor.