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Exposition
An effort has to be made to get to a place of peace with all men and holiness too. Some translations rather than “follow” have used “strive and pursue”. The text reminds us that our former lives were centered on pursuing the lusts of the flesh. However in the new dispensation, 1 Peter 1:14-16 reminds us that as we are now sanctified, the goal is to be holy as our Father in heaven is holy.
Pursuing after peace will not happen ordinarily. It is a lifelong exercise. Your spouse, children, friends, colleagues, brothers/sisters in the Church, neighbours etc. will sometimes make it difficult after you decide to live at peace. The instruction to follow peace is not dependent on them but on you. That is why Romans 12: 18 says if possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
When you pursue peace, you’d seek to forgive and to forget. You will be kind hearted and you will always be helpful. In fact, you will be able to pray for your enemies. As you succeed in an area and you congratulate yourself, your attention will be drawn to new areas and relationships that you have to work on.
Pursuing peace and holiness at all costs is not meant to lead you to compromise your faith or to compromise with sin. Where you are in doubt, seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit and you will not make a wrong choice.
What is holiness? Is it finding faults in others or going about as if the weight of the whole world is on your shoulders or is it keeping to yourself and not mixing with people so you are not polluted? Holiness is the process of being set apart from sin and being dedicated to God. Do not mistake this instruction as if your efforts will make you righteous.
Look at yourself always as one who has been made righteous by grace because Jesus Christ died and rose again because of you. You will be motivated to live a holy life and whenever you make a mistake, you will be drawn to the throne of grace and mercy. There you will see God and you will receive forgiveness. Your seeing God will bring renewal and you be transformed into his likeness in Jesus name.
Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God. If you pursue holiness you must have faith to obey the will of God as revealed in the Scripture and faith to believe that the promises of God will then be yours in Jesus name.
Prayer
Help me, Lord, to go the extra mile to pursue peace with all men. Help me to agree with you at all times. Help me to turn away from sin and obey you without fail. In times of weakness, help me to remember the end goal that the pure in heart are blessed and they will see you. This will be my story in Jesus name. Amen
Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)
Day 18
Genesis 17-18
Joshua 18
Job 18
Proverbs 18
Jeremiah 18
Matthew 18
Romans 18
Revelation 6
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