Corona Devo 1930

Work at living in peace with everyone...  ~Hebrews 12:14

It is work to get along and be at peace with others...let alone everyone.  But God's standard for us is high.  

And so is His reward.

So...Work at living in peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14).

Work...(try/submit/compromise/don't comment/die-to-ourselves/).

Work at living at peace with everyone.  Peace is not silence.  Peace is not the cold shoulder.  Peace is not judgement and disdain.  Peace is not condescension.  

Peace is...peace.  We know when we are at peace with someone because we feel it.  Peace is palpable.

We also know when we are not at peace with someone: there is a tension, a discomfort, a discord.  

Who comes to our mind right now?   Who are we not at peace with right now?  God's got a message for us today about that person: Work at living in peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14).

Everyone?

Work at living in peace with everyone...  ~Hebrews 12:14

What does that mean? 

Do we pick, pick, pick at others?  Do we nag, belittle, undermine and bemoan others?

Work at living in peace with everyone...  ~Hebrews 12:14

Everyone?

What about those teen girls who just verbally and emotionally decimated my daughter?  

Work at living in peace with everyone...  ~Hebrews 12:14

What about the family member that we have a strained relationship/hurt/disconnect/detached-relationship with?  

Work at living in peace with everyone...  ~Hebrews 12:14

What about that hard-to-love boss/coworker/neighbor/"friend"...you know the one. 

Work at living in peace with everyone...  ~Hebrews 12:14

Why!?  We whine. 

Why us?  Why do we have to be the nice ones?  The "work at living in peace" ones?  The humble ones?  The holy (work at living a holy life) ones.  Why do we have to work at living at peace with everyone? 

Why should we work at living in peace with everyone?  Because it is only for our good, if we follow God's plan.  ...If we obey His Word...and if we obey Him.

And God says to us today: Work at living in peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14).

Do we want to know why?  What do we get out of striving for peace with everyone? 

Number one: we get peace.  It is exhausting to be mean and spiteful and hurtful and unholy.  A lack of peace is draining, tiring, and unfulfilling. 

And, Number two: God says that if we are holy and we work at living in peace with everyone...then, we will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

Are we worried about those that oppose us and oppose God?  (Yes.)
We should worry about them: for those who are not holy will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

Yikes! 

We want to see the Lord...and we want others to see Him too.

And so, work it today. 

Work at living in peace with everyone...  ~Hebrews 12:14

God is worth working for, and we are not working (for Him) alone.  Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. 

God is also worth the results of working hard to live in peace for Him. 

~~

You and me: just for today, let's work at living in peace with everyone... (Hebrews 12:14).

Blessings,  

sarah  

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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