In Hebrews 12, the Apostle Paul gives us powerful guidance on how Christians should live together. His message is clear: we must pursue peace with all people and seek holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. But what does this really mean for our daily lives and relationships?
What Does It Mean to Pursue Peace?
Paul doesn’t simply suggest that we pursue peace—he commands it. This isn’t just about avoiding conflict; it’s about actively working toward harmony in all our relationships, especially within the church. When Paul writes “pursue peace with all people,” he’s talking specifically about how we interact with fellow believers. He understands that in any church, with so many different personalities, we won’t always get along perfectly. Even in a 28-year marriage, disagreements happen! But pursuing peace means going out of your way to maintain loving relationships despite differences. It means putting aside frustrations for the sake of unity. It means doing everything in your power to love the people God has placed in your path.
Why Holiness Matters Just as Much
Paul pairs the pursuit of peace with holiness, saying that “without which no one will see the Lord.” This is where many of us get uncomfortable. Holiness isn’t just about being “pretty good” by the world’s standards—it’s about seeking God’s standards.
Holiness means:
Setting ourselves apart from worldly attitudes
Seeking God’s will over our own
Embracing God’s love, forgiveness, and grace
Sometimes accepting God’s correction
It’s about pursuing something beyond the everyday and ordinary—something sacred and set apart. Without this pursuit of holiness, Paul warns that we won’t see God.
How Can We Miss God’s Grace?
Paul warns us to be careful “lest anyone fall short of the grace of God.” But wait—isn’t God’s grace available to everyone? How can we miss it?
The truth is, we can miss experiencing God’s grace even as believers when:
Our attitudes become barriers
Our desires pull us in other directions
Our busy schedules distract us
We put our fingers in our ears (spiritually speaking) when God speaks
Even pastors can get so busy doing God’s work that they forget to experience God’s love. We can become so focused on accomplishing tasks that we miss the river of grace flowing right past us.
What Happens When Bitterness Takes Root?
Paul warns about “any root of bitterness springing up” that causes trouble and defiles many. This is a powerful metaphor for how small frustrations can grow into church-destroying problems.
These roots of bitterness might start as:
Small disagreements about worship styles
Differences of opinion about ministry direction
Misunderstandings between members
Perceived slights or offenses
Like weeds in a garden, these small roots must be pulled up immediately. Any experienced gardener knows that waiting only makes the problem worse. When the root grows, it becomes harder to remove without damaging everything around it.
The Danger of Squandering God’s Gifts
Paul uses the example of Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. This wasn’t just a history lesson—it was a warning about family dynamics in the church.
Just as Esau traded his blessing for a small satisfaction, we can give up the entire blessing of God’s presence because:
We quit attending church over a hurt
We stop talking to fellow believers
We withdraw from being the church
Paul calls this “profane”—squandering God’s gift over something relatively small. Think about someone who has hurt you deeply. How long did that hurt keep you from being involved in church? How much blessing did you miss because you couldn’t pursue peace through forgiveness?
The Old Covenant vs. The New Covenant
Paul contrasts Mount Sinai (representing the old covenant of law) with Mount Zion (representing the new covenant through Christ). This comparison reminds us that we’re not bound by legalism but freed by grace.
Under the old covenant at Sinai:
People were terrified of God’s presence
Even Moses was “exceedingly afraid and trembling”
The mountain couldn’t even be touched
But under the new covenant at Zion:
We come to “the city of the living God”
We join “an innumerable company of angels”
We approach “Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant”
Paul urges us not to waste time fighting about religious details—which day to worship, how to conduct services, or following specific traditions. Instead, we should focus on the grace made available through Christ’s sacrifice, which “speaks better things than that of Abel.”
How Our Attitudes Affect Others
Our personal frustrations don’t just affect us—they can distract others from experiencing God’s grace too. When we bring negative attitudes into church, people notice. They wonder what’s wrong with us instead of focusing on worship.
Even unintentional behaviors can become distractions. Our goal should be to eliminate these distractions so that when we’re around the body of Christ, we can simply worship together.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to actively pursue peace in all your relationships, especially within the church. When frustrations arise (and they will), remember that you have a choice: you can nurture those small roots of bitterness, or you can pull them up immediately.
Ask yourself these questions:
What small frustrations am I holding onto that could grow into bitterness?
Am I missing God’s grace because I’m too busy or distracted?
How might my attitude be affecting others’ ability to experience God’s presence?
What one relationship needs my active pursuit of peace this week?
Remember Paul’s words: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Don’t waste God’s grace on useless fights. Instead, like Bill (mentioned in the sermon), focus outward—not on what’s going wrong in your life, but on how God is moving powerfully and how you can ease others’ burdens through prayer and kindness.
May we all come into God’s presence “singing loud the praise of God,” knowing that we gave everything we had to pursuing His peace.