We set the stage for our future at any point in time by building level paths to walk or uneven paths. This whole thing about paths is about setting a foundation in our life upon which we can run the race of life.
The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to, “live at peace with everyone”. Jesus tells us the same in the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” WOW, are we doing that? Do we work at being at peace with everyone in our jobs (both employees and customers), in school, at home, and in our family?
Hebrews 12:14-17 14 (TNIV)
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.Matthew 5:9 (TNIV)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”Matthew 5:8 (TNIV)
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”.
It’s interesting to me that as we strive for being at peace with people in our life, as well as striving to live with the attitudes that Jesus shares with us that are best for us (Matthew 5:3-12)…..our heart starts to be pure. This is the essence of holiness. As we apply God’s wisdom to our lives we “become Holy”. We focus on God and less on ourselves. We start to feel like, and recognize, that we are God’s children. AND, we will start to truly see God in our lives. What does the writer of Hebrews tell us in Hebrews 12:14?: “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord”.
May you work hard at being at peace with everyone in your life on all levels of your life and you recognize and know that you are a child of God. And may your heart become pure as you walk with Jesus and apply His wisdom. May you see God in your life, all around you, embracing you and leading you to a life of fulfillment and peace.
The writer of Hebrews speaks of 3 things in life to avoid as we strengthen ourselves for this run in life so that we can find true fulfillment and learn to experience joy in all things. In fact, as we recognize that as Christians we are a “team”….the writer exhorts us to not only avoid these things but also to help our brothers and sisters in Christ avoid them as well.
THE FIRST THING TO AVOID is missing the opportunities for God’s grace.
Hebrews 12:15 (TNIV) tells us,
“See that no one falls short of the grace of God”.2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (TNIV)
1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
God is overflowing with grace. He hears us when we call out. Don’t let anyone miss opportunities for God’s Grace and also, don’t miss the opportunities yourself!
How do we miss opportunities for God’s grace? The more you mature as a Christian, the more you should realize that all good things in your life come from God.
I heard it put this way so beautifully:
“By God’s grace, some of you have made it through difficult circumstances in your life because God was watching over you. God has especially equipped you to reach out to others coming from similar situations with God’s love.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (TNIV)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. By God’s grace, some of you were born into good families and never lacked anything. God did not give you these opportunities so you could be selfish and arrogant.
By God’s grace, some of you here were able to know God at an early age. Paul said Timothy knew the Scriptures from infancy. It was God’s grace to Timothy that his mother and grandmother equipped him so that he was ready to join Paul at a young age.
The apostle Paul understood that it was only by God’s grace that he was what he was. God was with him as he endured so many hardships and pressed through so many challenges … all this was the grace of God.”
May you recognize every opportunity that God has given you and may share your life with others around you so that they too will recognize the grace of God in their lives.