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

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What a friend we have in Jesus. There is nobody out there that I can trust more than him. It’s taken me a while to get to this point, but if there’s anything that I know to be true, it’s that the human condition is sinful and judgmental. There is always going to be some sort of tension among people here on Earth, but Jesus changes everything. Because of him, we don’t have to live like the rest of the world. By him, we can have peace that surpasses all understanding, not because our circumstances are different, but because our Savior is. Our peace isn’t found in everyone treating us fairly – it’s found in Christ alone.  

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As a believer, you are made new in Jesus. Once you’ve had an encounter with his unfailing grace, you will never be the same. You are a new creation, transformed and set apart by your holy Father. How amazing is it that Jesus cares for you so much that he died so you can be with him forever? You were one way, but by him, you are made holy and righteous through the New Covenant. You are not the same person you once were. You are no longer defined by anything in your past, your failures, or your sin.

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With this understanding of Jesus, it’s important to understand that you are still going to make mistakes. It is inevitable because of our broken world – we will sin and mess up sometimes, but it doesn’t define us or anyone else. We are defined by Jesus.  

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This truth should not only change how we see ourselves, but also how we see others.  

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The same mercy Christ extends to you, he asks us to extend to others. They are also God’s children, and they live in a sinful world. They will make mistakes, just like you. Showing this grace and kindness to others is a way of glorifying God and his perfect love. That doesn’t mean ignoring sin or pretending like everything is hunky-dory all the time. It means remembering that others are also fighting their own battles every single day. It means refusing to let bitterness well up inside you, because you’ve experienced the gift of God’s unfailing love and mercy.  

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This is why Hebrews calls us to strive for peace. Peace doesn’t just happen. It requires lots of humility and lots of forgiveness. It requires looking at people through the lens of God’s grace rather than our hostile flesh.  

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Hebrews also calls us to strive for holiness.  

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Holiness is not about proving yourself worthy of God. Jesus has already done that. Holiness is a daily decision of becoming more like the One who saved you. As we abide in Christ, his character begins to shape ours. His patience becomes our patience. His kindness becomes our kindness. His forgiveness becomes our forgiveness. The more we become more like Jesus, the more the world gets a glimpse of him through us.  

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So pursue peace. Walk in holiness. Not because you’re trying to earn God’s love, but because you’ve already received it.

The question I would implore you to bring to the Lord today would be: What are you striving for? What is your heart focused on?

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Are you seeking something Christ has already provided you? Are you trying to prove yourself to him through good deeds instead of resting in him? Or maybe you’re striving to hold onto hurt instead of extending forgiveness to others.  

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Whatever has captured your heart, bring it to the Lord.  

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Ask him to transform your desires so that they reflect his. Ask him to break your heart for what breaks his and shape your life to glorify his holiness. Rest in the blessed assurance you have in Jesus and ask him how you can show that same mercy and love to someone else.

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Lord, thank you so much for the blood of Jesus. Thank you that I can live a life of peace and security despite the chaos and brokenness of this world because of the assurance I have in you. Help me to strive for that peace in my relationships with everyone around me, and help me to use my daily interactions to glorify you. Transform my heart so that its focus is on you, that my desires might reflect yours. Fill me with your grace so that I may extend that same grace, mercy, and forgiveness to those around me. May my words, actions, and thoughts honor you and point others to the peace found in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.