TOWARDS THE PERFECT MAN(JAS.1:4)
GOD'S MANDATE OF STRIVING FOR PEACE WITH ANYONE AND EVERYONE.(PART ONE)
Hebrews 12:14, KJV: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Reading the above verse and its rendition literally,one would see it as an unimportant issue,but truly,*OUR SALVATION LIES THEREIN* In that single verse,lies the key to Christ-like living,which in other words is *PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY*
In it,we are encouraged as Christians to *hold fast* despite persecutions and hardships. Most of what we face as believers is not as drastic as it could be;
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Heb 12: 4)
Don't get me wrong,I am not implying you must shed blood,in pushing for peace... it's an illustration.
The truth is, to live in peace with fellow man is almost an unattainable task, especially if you find yourself in the midst of some categories of persons...yes,it takes grace. But God knows,hence HE said *WE NEED TO STRIVE,PURSUE IT AGGRESSIVELY*, because, it's tied to our holiness, without which we can't be certain of successful pilgrimage on earth. You can now see its importance.
A common command given in the New Testament is for Christians to seek peace between themselves and others (Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:13).
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12: 18)
In fact, this capacity to "get along" is tied closely to our spiritual maturity (James 3:17; 1 Timothy 3:3; Galatians 5:22).
But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is. (Jas 3: 17)
This is especially important when it comes to relationships between other Christians. Not only does mutual love serve to build up the church, it is a primary sign to the world that we're disciples of Christ (John 13:35; 1 John 3:14; 4:21).
Like I mentioned earlier, because of our differences in our biological make-up, to live crises free life among ourselves as individuals,takes grace, and Christ Jesus offered and continues to offer that much needed grace,if we would only surrender our helplessness to HIM.
The previous chapter (11), recounts the experiences of those who came before us, and how they persevered in the faces of difficulties and even hostilities.
Continuing in Hebrews 12:3–17 a description is built of heroes of the faith, culminating in Christ Jesus. Those who came before were LOVED by GOD and HONOURED by GOD, and YET THEY SUFFERED HARDSHIPS in this world. In this passage, the writer makes it clear that suffering is often God's way of building us up and training us, not necessarily a sign of His displeasure. Christians who respond to trials by seeking God, in faith, can avoid the fate of less-faithful men, like Esau.
Indeed, the fight gets wearisome at times,but God always sustains us...
Notice that the writer of Hebrews said to pursue peace *with all men.*
It might sound odd, but God wants us to be aggressive pursuers of peace in all our relationships. No Christian should allow conflict to fester unresolved in his or her life.
Just as we cannot love God without loving others, we cannot pursue holiness without pursuing peace with all men. We are to pursue peace by aggressively maintaining and promoting friendliness in our relationships.
Romans 12:21 tells us how to pursue peace with those who are our enemies: *be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.* In other words, we pursue peace with all men by doing good to all men.
When we reject desires, attitudes, or actions that are sinful and choose those that are in harmony with God’s word, we share in God’s holiness. We must aggressively pursue sharing in God’s separateness from sin and His purity, righteousness, and goodness.
We are to pursue being holy just like God is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16).*AND WE CAN HARDLY ACHIEVE THIS WITHOUT MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DUELS THAT PRESENT GOD IN A BAD LIGHT THROUGH OUR DEALINGS WITH FELLOW HUMANS.*
In the preceding verses,we are given some *expos* on how to pursue peace with all men,which culminates in our thirst for a holy lifestyle,as the Holy Spirit guides us;
• Laying aside any hindrances (Heb. 12:1).
• Laying aside the sin that easily ensnares us (Heb. 12:1).
• Fixing our gaze on Jesus (Heb. 12:2).
• Persevering in the fight against sin (Heb. 12:3–4).
• Submitting to the Lord’s chastening and enduring it thankfully (Heb. 12:5–11).
• Strengthening one another (Heb. 12:12–13).
TO BE CONTINUED...
When we come back, we would be looking into some PRACTICAL ways that helps us in the *PURSUIT OF PEACE WITH ALL MEN* Remember,the pursuit of holiness aids us in our determination to follow peace with all men.
May His Grace and Mercy be sufficient for us Amen !
GOD'S MANDATE OF STRIVING FOR PEACE WITH ANYONE AND EVERYONE.(PART ONE)
Hebrews 12:14, KJV: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Reading the above verse and its rendition literally,one would see it as an unimportant issue,but truly,*OUR SALVATION LIES THEREIN* In that single verse,lies the key to Christ-like living,which in other words is *PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY*
In it,we are encouraged as Christians to *hold fast* despite persecutions and hardships. Most of what we face as believers is not as drastic as it could be;
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Heb 12: 4)
Don't get me wrong,I am not implying you must shed blood,in pushing for peace... it's an illustration.
The truth is, to live in peace with fellow man is almost an unattainable task, especially if you find yourself in the midst of some categories of persons...yes,it takes grace. But God knows,hence HE said *WE NEED TO STRIVE,PURSUE IT AGGRESSIVELY*, because, it's tied to our holiness, without which we can't be certain of successful pilgrimage on earth. You can now see its importance.
A common command given in the New Testament is for Christians to seek peace between themselves and others (Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:13).
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12: 18)
In fact, this capacity to "get along" is tied closely to our spiritual maturity (James 3:17; 1 Timothy 3:3; Galatians 5:22).
But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is. (Jas 3: 17)
This is especially important when it comes to relationships between other Christians. Not only does mutual love serve to build up the church, it is a primary sign to the world that we're disciples of Christ (John 13:35; 1 John 3:14; 4:21).
Like I mentioned earlier, because of our differences in our biological make-up, to live crises free life among ourselves as individuals,takes grace, and Christ Jesus offered and continues to offer that much needed grace,if we would only surrender our helplessness to HIM.
The previous chapter (11), recounts the experiences of those who came before us, and how they persevered in the faces of difficulties and even hostilities.
Continuing in Hebrews 12:3–17 a description is built of heroes of the faith, culminating in Christ Jesus. Those who came before were LOVED by GOD and HONOURED by GOD, and YET THEY SUFFERED HARDSHIPS in this world. In this passage, the writer makes it clear that suffering is often God's way of building us up and training us, not necessarily a sign of His displeasure. Christians who respond to trials by seeking God, in faith, can avoid the fate of less-faithful men, like Esau.
Indeed, the fight gets wearisome at times,but God always sustains us...
Notice that the writer of Hebrews said to pursue peace *with all men.*
It might sound odd, but God wants us to be aggressive pursuers of peace in all our relationships. No Christian should allow conflict to fester unresolved in his or her life.
Just as we cannot love God without loving others, we cannot pursue holiness without pursuing peace with all men. We are to pursue peace by aggressively maintaining and promoting friendliness in our relationships.
Romans 12:21 tells us how to pursue peace with those who are our enemies: *be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.* In other words, we pursue peace with all men by doing good to all men.
When we reject desires, attitudes, or actions that are sinful and choose those that are in harmony with God’s word, we share in God’s holiness. We must aggressively pursue sharing in God’s separateness from sin and His purity, righteousness, and goodness.
We are to pursue being holy just like God is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16).*AND WE CAN HARDLY ACHIEVE THIS WITHOUT MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DUELS THAT PRESENT GOD IN A BAD LIGHT THROUGH OUR DEALINGS WITH FELLOW HUMANS.*
In the preceding verses,we are given some *expos* on how to pursue peace with all men,which culminates in our thirst for a holy lifestyle,as the Holy Spirit guides us;
• Laying aside any hindrances (Heb. 12:1).
• Laying aside the sin that easily ensnares us (Heb. 12:1).
• Fixing our gaze on Jesus (Heb. 12:2).
• Persevering in the fight against sin (Heb. 12:3–4).
• Submitting to the Lord’s chastening and enduring it thankfully (Heb. 12:5–11).
• Strengthening one another (Heb. 12:12–13).
TO BE CONTINUED...
When we come back, we would be looking into some PRACTICAL ways that helps us in the *PURSUIT OF PEACE WITH ALL MEN* Remember,the pursuit of holiness aids us in our determination to follow peace with all men.
May His Grace and Mercy be sufficient for us Amen !
TOWARDS THE PERFECT MAN(JAS.1:4)
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GOD'S MANDATE OF STRIVING FOR PEACE WITH ANYONE AND EVERYONE.(PART ONE)
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Hebrews 12:14, KJV: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Reading the above verse and its rendition literally,one would see it as an unimportant issue,but truly,*OUR SALVATION LIES THEREIN* In that single verse,lies the key to Christ-like living,which in other words is *PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY*
In it,we are encouraged as Christians to *hold fast* despite persecutions and hardships. Most of what we face as believers is not as drastic as it could be;
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Heb 12: 4)
Don't get me wrong,I am not implying you must shed blood,in pushing for peace... it's an illustration.
The truth is, to live in peace with fellow man is almost an unattainable task, especially if you find yourself in the midst of some categories of persons...yes,it takes grace. But God knows,hence HE said *WE NEED TO STRIVE,PURSUE IT AGGRESSIVELY*, because, it's tied to our holiness, without which we can't be certain of successful pilgrimage on earth. You can now see its importance.
A common command given in the New Testament is for Christians to seek peace between themselves and others (Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:13).
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12: 18)
In fact, this capacity to "get along" is tied closely to our spiritual maturity (James 3:17; 1 Timothy 3:3; Galatians 5:22).
But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is. (Jas 3: 17)
This is especially important when it comes to relationships between other Christians. Not only does mutual love serve to build up the church, it is a primary sign to the world that we're disciples of Christ (John 13:35; 1 John 3:14; 4:21).
Like I mentioned earlier, because of our differences in our biological make-up, to live crises free life among ourselves as individuals,takes grace, and Christ Jesus offered and continues to offer that much needed grace,if we would only surrender our helplessness to HIM.
The previous chapter (11), recounts the experiences of those who came before us, and how they persevered in the faces of difficulties and even hostilities.
Continuing in Hebrews 12:3–17 a description is built of heroes of the faith, culminating in Christ Jesus. Those who came before were LOVED by GOD and HONOURED by GOD, and YET THEY SUFFERED HARDSHIPS in this world. In this passage, the writer makes it clear that suffering is often God's way of building us up and training us, not necessarily a sign of His displeasure. Christians who respond to trials by seeking God, in faith, can avoid the fate of less-faithful men, like Esau.
Indeed, the fight gets wearisome at times,but God always sustains us...
Notice that the writer of Hebrews said to pursue peace *with all men.*
It might sound odd, but God wants us to be aggressive pursuers of peace in all our relationships. No Christian should allow conflict to fester unresolved in his or her life.
Just as we cannot love God without loving others, we cannot pursue holiness without pursuing peace with all men. We are to pursue peace by aggressively maintaining and promoting friendliness in our relationships.
Romans 12:21 tells us how to pursue peace with those who are our enemies: *be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.* In other words, we pursue peace with all men by doing good to all men.
When we reject desires, attitudes, or actions that are sinful and choose those that are in harmony with God’s word, we share in God’s holiness. We must aggressively pursue sharing in God’s separateness from sin and His purity, righteousness, and goodness.
We are to pursue being holy just like God is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16).*AND WE CAN HARDLY ACHIEVE THIS WITHOUT MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DUELS THAT PRESENT GOD IN A BAD LIGHT THROUGH OUR DEALINGS WITH FELLOW HUMANS.*
In the preceding verses,we are given some *expos* on how to pursue peace with all men,which culminates in our thirst for a holy lifestyle,as the Holy Spirit guides us;
• Laying aside any hindrances (Heb. 12:1).
• Laying aside the sin that easily ensnares us (Heb. 12:1).
• Fixing our gaze on Jesus (Heb. 12:2).
• Persevering in the fight against sin (Heb. 12:3–4).
• Submitting to the Lord’s chastening and enduring it thankfully (Heb. 12:5–11).
• Strengthening one another (Heb. 12:12–13).
TO BE CONTINUED...
When we come back, we would be looking into some PRACTICAL ways that helps us in the *PURSUIT OF PEACE WITH ALL MEN* Remember,the pursuit of holiness aids us in our determination to follow peace with all men.
May His Grace and Mercy be sufficient for us Amen 🙏!
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