Hebrews 12:14 – “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
What does it mean to live a life of holiness? For many, the word “holy” can sound lofty, unreachable, or even intimidating. But in its truest sense, holiness is about reflecting God’s heart in our everyday lives. It is less about perfection and more about direction—the posture of our hearts as we walk with Him.
Holiness means saying “no” to what is harmful, seeking forgiveness when we fall short, and intentionally choosing God’s better way. It means stepping aside from selfish ambition to embrace a bigger, more beautiful story: God’s story of love, redemption, and peace.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that this pursuit is not always easy. We are encouraged to “run with perseverance,” shedding distractions and burdens that weigh us down (Hebrews 12:1-2). Holiness is not passive, it’s active. It requires a steady resolve to keep moving forward, even when life feels heavy.
But holiness does not exist in isolation. The author ties holiness with peace: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone.” God is described as the God of peace (Hebrews 13:20). If we truly desire to reflect Him, then peace must not just be something we admire—it must be something we pursue.
Living at peace with others is one of the clearest ways we reveal God’s presence in us. When people encounter our kindness, forgiveness, and patience, they catch glimpses of the love of Jesus. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict; it’s the active presence of love.
Yet peace is not always simple. It doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine when it isn’t. It doesn’t mean accepting mistreatment or avoiding necessary boundaries. Instead, peace means striving, wherever possible, for reconciliation, wholeness, and forgiveness. It means choosing to respond with grace, even when it’s undeserved. It means letting go of bitterness before it poisons our souls.
When anger or resentment dominates our hearts, it clouds our ability to love. It keeps us from living freely and fully. But when we pursue peace, we create space for healing—not just for others, but for ourselves.
Take a moment today to reflect on your relationships. Are there unresolved tensions? Are you holding on to hurt or resentment? Is there someone you need to forgive—or perhaps someone you need to ask forgiveness from? Pursuing peace doesn’t mean you’ll always get the outcome you hope for. But it does mean you’ve aligned your heart with God’s, and that step alone changes everything.
Peace begins in the small, everyday choices: choosing gentleness over harshness, listening instead of reacting, extending kindness instead of judgment. These choices ripple outward, revealing God’s transforming work in us.
Holiness and peace go hand in hand. As we pursue God with sincerity, we cannot help but grow in both. And as we do, others will see not our striving, but His glory shining through us. So wherever possible, seek peace. Forgive freely. Love generously. And let your life be a living window into the heart of the God of peace.
Amen.
HERE ARE SIX CONCISE KEY POINTS DRAWN FROM THE BLOG:
Holiness is not perfection but daily alignment with God’s heart—choosing His way over selfish desires.
Living in peace reflects God’s nature and allows others to glimpse His love through us.
Peace is more than avoiding conflict; it is actively pursuing reconciliation, forgiveness, and wholeness.
Bitterness and anger block us from showing the love of Jesus and rob us of inner freedom.
Pursuing peace doesn’t always guarantee outcomes, but it keeps our hearts aligned with God’s purposes.
Small daily choices—kindness, gentleness, and grace—become powerful expressions of God’s transforming work.
