Follow!

Follow!

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14 KJV

In the context of living with eternity in view, today's extract is important. There are two things mentioned here that are critical to that journey - PEACE and HOLINESS, and it is quite interesting to note that Paul uses the word FOLLOW. It means that whatever it is I am asked to follow is ahead of me, and is an example worthy of emulation. 

Peace and Holiness are only 2 parts of God's nature. It then means that the One I am asked to follow actually God Himself. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, as well as the Holy One of Israel. Can I say, if a truth, that I am indeed following after the One who speaks here? Though both speak to God's nature, both also demand something from me that impacts how I relate with God and man. 

If I will walk in peace and holiness, it is clear that my human relationships must reflect my heavenly relationship. Peace is seen and understood more from what I do, not what I say. If I claim to live in peace with others, I won't be the one to always define what I do; my life will speak to it. 

And the second reflects my walk with God: holiness. It doesn't matter what mortal men say about me. On the long run, whatever God says about my walk with and work for Him is all that matters. If He says I am holy, people's opinions don't count. If He says otherwise, it doesn't matter how many people applaud. 

 

And I am to deal with all men the same way. God doesn't demand my obedience on the basis of the other person's reaction or response to me. As long as I have pledged allegiance to God, His commands become my law. My life is not a popularity contest but a study in faithfulness to God's standards. Being able to see God at the end of my earthly life is subject to my obedience, not really what anyone else thinks. 

So, I must live my life free from man's expectations or demands. Man's standards don't last long, because they are not based on the truth. God's truth is eternal, and it is this: without the twins of peace and holiness, laid down by God as the standards of engagement, I will not see the Lord. Now, I can argue with this, or I can take steps to align my life accordingly. The choice, as always, is mine. His time of favour is here. 

FOLLOW 

PEACE 

ALL MEN 

HOLINESS 

SEE THE LORD