The goal of every Christian is to make heaven and get to see the Lord. However, the two conditions that the bible gives to seeing the Lord is holiness and living in peace with all men.

 

*Pursue Holiness*

Holiness is not an option as a Christians. We have also been commanded to live holy lives. 1 Thess4:7 says, “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life”.  But what is holiness? The words “holy,” “holiness,” “saint” and “sanctify” come from the root of a Greek word meaning, “to set apart to God.” The believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is set apart for God by the Holy Spirit.

 

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

We know the things that keep us from living holy; we must throw off all that hinders us and put God first, remove our lives all the things that lead us to sin, and ask for the holy spirit to help us because the bible says in 1 Sam2:9 “He will guard the feet of His saints, … For by strength no man shall prevail”.

 

Let us therefore pursue peace by:

 

1. REPENTING, changing our ways, changing our thinking, changing what we can and handing over the rest to HIM.

 

2. Throwing off the things that hinder us. Heb 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”

 

3. Getting serious about our sin instead of justifying it.

 

4. PRAYING asking God to forgive and giving us help to overcome the sin in our lives. When you see something, you must do, don’t wait do it.

 

5. Tapping into the HOLY SPIRIT and let the evidence of a spirit filled life show God to others. Holiness is an assurance of our salvation, it bears fruit.

 

*Prayer*: Father, give me the grace and enablement to pursue holiness and live holy all the days of my life.

 

*Pursue Peace*

The bible says in John 16:32-33 that “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

 

Peace of mind in all things is one of the major things every Christian need in His life. Without peace of mind or peace all around you, you can never progress. The only place to be and have peace of mind and peace all around you so you can progress, and flourish is in Jesus.

 

In Jesus is peace, the true peace every man needs in his life. In Jesus, peace encompasses you, and you have peace on every side of your border, and this makes you grow and develop without limitations and setbacks.

 

Let us therefore pursue peace:

 

1. With God: Ever since man’s rebellion with God in the book of Genesis, peace has been broken and there has been conflict in the world.  The bible went on to curse those that strive to God in Isaiah 45:9

 

2. With fellow believers: Within the Christian community, God tells us to live in peace with one another. Unfortunately, peace is something that is lacking in many churches today. Within the Christian community, God tells us to live in peace with one another. Unfortunately, peace is something that is lacking in many churches today. It is inevitable that conflicts will rise, but when they occur within the church, God provides us with the biblical method of resolution in Matt 5:23-24

 

3. With unbelievers: Not only does the command to pursue peace with all men apply to our relationships with believers, it also includes pursuing peace with the lost, even those that are persecuting you. As Jesus said in Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you”.

 

Because we are at peace with God, we should be peacemakers as it comes with a blessing. The bible says in Matt 5: 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God”.

 

Because we are counted righteous, we should live righteously. Our practice should match our position. Otherwise, the unbeliever will stand back and ask, “Why don’t you practice what you preach? If you don’t live like Christ says to live, why should I accept Him as my Lord and Saviour?” – John MacArthur

 

1. Oh Lord, give me the grace to pursue peace with all men, even when it is not convenient in Jesus’ name.

 

2. Father, please keep me in your will that I never deviate but stay in it and enjoy the full benefits of your son Jesus. In Jesus' name