The
Hebrew writer told his readers to “make straight paths
for” their “feet,
lest that which is lame be turned out of the way”,
and he instructed them “let it rather be healed”.
In chapter twelve and verse fourteen of Hebrews the writer
shares how his readers should
“follow peace with all men” where we read:
Follow
peace with all men,
and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
The
verse begins, “Follow peace with all
men, and
holiness,...”. The
writer began with the words, “Follow
peace”
which means “to run swiftly after tranquility, harmony, concord,
safety, prosperity and felicity” “with
all men”
which refers to “toward each, every, the whole, any and everyone”,
“and holiness”
which means “consecration, purification and sanctification of heart
and life”. “Peace”
and “holiness”
were to be pursued by the readers of Hebrews.
The
verse continues, “...without which no man shall see the
Lord:”. The writer added the
words, “without which” or
“separate and apart from which” “no man”
which refers to “no person whether male or female” “shall
see” or “behold, inspect and
be allowed to see” “the Lord”
which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which
he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the
Messiah”. The writer stated that no one “will be able to behold
the Lord” without having “peace” and
“holiness”.
When
we think through these words in Hebrews, we understand the importance
of having “peace” and
“holiness” in our
lives. With the writer's warning “no man shall see the
Lord”, anyone who reads his
word should be greatly motivated and inspired. Jesus Christ came to
provide “on earth peace, good will toward men.”
(Luke 2:14), and this is what Christmas means. God sent His Son Jesus
to die for the sins of mankind, provide people with “peace” with
God and by His Holy Spirit make them “consecrated, purified and
sanctified” in their actions, attitudes and ways of living. Thanks
be to God for not only setting the rules to “see”
Him, but also provided a way for all to meet that standard.
Next
time the writer exhorts his readers concerning “Looking
diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God”
and a “root of bitterness”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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