6-24-20  THOUGHTS

I forgot to turn my computer off last night.  As I opened it this morning, the verse in the middle of my screen was Heb 12:14.  Yesterday, it wasn’t even noticed in a search, this morning it jumped off the page.  It seems so significant!
Heb 12:14    Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
What we pursue, our aim in life, that which people see in us must be holiness!
Peace and Holiness are merged in the above verse.  They go together.  
The character of an Elder was to be non-violent.
Titus 1:7   For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious [violent ESV & NIV], not fond of sordid gain, [plektes plake’-tace AV-striker  1) bruiser, ready for a blow]
Rom 14:19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Some thoughts from commentators:
Barnes: “How deeply affecting, then, is the inquiry, whether we have that holiness which is indispensable to salvation!”
Clarke: “To see God, in the Hebrew phrase, is to enjoy him; and without holiness of heart and life this is impossible.”
Calvin: “for with no other eyes shall we see God than those which have been renewed after his image.”
Arthur Pink: “God will not accept our worship in the house of prayer while we entertain in our heart the spirit of bitterness toward another”
Isa 35:8   A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it [will] be for him who walks [that] way, And fools will not wander [on it.]
2Thes 2:13b   because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
Rom 6:22  But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
Zep 3:9   "For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, That all of them may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him shoulder to shoulder.
There is a picture of fellowship in the above passage...  
Heb 12:25a See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking.

My Prayer:
Holy God of heaven, teach us to be as you are.  Help us to pursue peace and sanctification.  Make our hearts Holy.  Bless our day with your presence Oh God.   

                   In the name of Jesus   Amen