Peace with Men

^‘Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many’ (Heb 12:14-15).

'Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. It is commonly understood as the absence of hostility; peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships' (Wikipedia). This lesson focuses on peace with men as a follow up to the lesson ‘peace in stormy times,’ that focused on inner peace. Until you forgive others God cannot forgive you. It is said that holding a grudge is letting someone live rent free in your head and heart. You don't get to choose who you'll forgive. Love is a command; forgiveness is an act of obedience. You can't be closer to God than you are to the people you love least.

The writer of Hebrews was giving warnings and encouragements in Heb 12 and in the fourteenth verse he said, ‘make every effort to live in peace with everyone’. Note, he didn’t say live in peace with some people but everyone. The key is making every effort to bring reconciliation, as one who understands the importance of peace. In life offenses will surely come but one’s ability and wisdom to go beyond those offences is the key to peace. Many struggle with bitterness daily. Bitterness or resentment is the experience of a negative emotions likeanger or hatred, felt as a result of a real or imagined wrong done. ‘Sitting at supper with His disciples, Jesus said, “One of you will betray me” (Mk 14:18 NIV). Shortly after that, Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. Some folks will kiss you today and kick you tomorrow. But Jesus refused to become bitter.

Betrayal is something others do to you; bitterness is something you do to yourself. It’s impossible to go through life without being hurt (Bob Gass). In many churches, families and other organizations, people have been hurt and robbed of all peace. ‘It may be an unfaithful spouse, an employee who slanders you, or a boss who fires you without explanation or a church member that disrespected you or treated you unfairly.

In Heb 12:14-15 the writer admonishes that we should see to it that through bitterness we don’t fall short of the grace of God. Clearly this means if you don’t forgive others God will not forgive you and you can’t see His glory. Secondly the writer of Hebrews admonishes us not to let a bitter root grow up and cause trouble. This means we should deal with offenses in a timely manner and also act as peace makers whether we are directly involved with the offence or not. Dealing with offenses in a timely manner is always easier than waiting till a later time. If you have wronged someone, make peace by accepting your fault and asking the person for forgiveness today. On the other hand if you have been wronged do not be bitter, forgive so that you will also be forgiven. How you handle others determines how God will handle you.

As established in the lesson ‘Peace in Stormy times,’ peace with God through Jesus is the first step to receiving the grace to make peace with men. “Watch out that no…bitterness grows up.” Heb 12:15 NLT.