Too often, reading our Bibles can become routine. We mistake words of great significance for rather common expressions and rarely pause long enough to catch the scent of their significance or see the metaphorical image painted before our eyes. Consider the exhausting word “strive.”
Picture this - huffing and puffing, tired and exhausted, he slumped to a bench gripping the dog leash. The thing was running like crazy; he was terrified that one belated screech of the brakes would turn the family pet into a memory. Thankfully his pursuit was not in vain. The tragedy was averted. Have you ever been on such a pursuit when you put everything on the line except your own morals and integrity to save or salvage something that is in jeopardy of being lost?
The writer to the Hebrews said:
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
The word ‘strive’ simply means chasing after and running with rigour and persistence. Many run for different causes. A runathon for this and a relay for that – most of which are all very good causes. But have you ever run for peace? Not world peace but peace and harmony in your relationship with others?
The metaphorical image is of one pursuing with alertness something that’s being hunted. The leg calves and the hamstrings are straining to carry the body in its focused pursuit. The eyes are darting here and there, and the head is making quick moves as you try not to miss one clue in your search.
My Christian responsibility is to pursue peace with every single person – Christian and non-Christian and to do it without violating the Scriptures or compromising holiness. Any unregenerate person can cause division. Any carnal believer can cause tension and drive a wedge deeper. You don’t have to be walking close to the Lord to add momentum to dissension or to jump on a bandwagon that hopes to get the upper hand in a dispute. You don’t have to be particularly gifted to wrap knives and daggers in soft-sounding, subtle words. You don’t have to be overly sharp to use cutting language.
In dealing with people who are not saved, the slightest deficit in spiritual wisdom and Godly discernment and Christ-like gentleness can become a stumbling block in reaching them with the Gospel.
My Christian responsibility is to pursue peace with every person. There is a vast difference between stating the truth and being provocative. There is a world of difference between being gently and humbly honest and upfront with someone and being irritating, condescending, aggressive, aggravating and abrasive.
But what about the case where the other person is not interested in making peace? In fact, he’s pushing the other way; he won’t back down, and he’s escalating the tension and being unnecessarily obnoxious. How am I to respond? Fight back? Re-group, re-arm, and give the fight everything I’ve got to ensure I have the upper hand and win? No! I am to pursue, strive and work hard for peace – even when that involves taking the very low place.
It’s easy to be a peacemaker when there’s little to divide. The real test comes in a crisis when peace has been smashed and is scattered like broken china on the floor. Then what? Do I just kick the broken pieces around, or should I work hard to recover the lost peace? The spiritual person will lose sleep at night, labour in prayer, and cry to God for wisdom on how to restore peace. Have you ever shed tears over peace? I’m not talking about crying out of sheer, pent-up frustration over a situation but rather humbly weeping for peace.
Even if older ones, which should be an example to you – even if they are at loggerheads with each other, take the high road. Do the Christ-like thing. Strive for peace with everyone.
Read the latest Life Lesson – Actor Ben Affleck Explores Christianity and Faith
Dear child of God, maybe you are in the middle of a very difficult situation right now. What contribution are you making? Are you helping to ‘stir the pot’ or trying to ‘still the waters?’ Again, strive for peace with everyone.
The supreme example of a peacemaker is the Prince of Peace. Did He strive for peace with everyone? He did more than strive for peace. He laid down His life for peace. “Having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:20.
Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.
