Journal Entry ~ 03/22/18

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. - Ephesians 6:14-15

Putting on the shoes of the gospel of peace doesn’t just mean we are to allow His peace to wash over us in times of trouble, it also means we are to be His peace to others and we are to be at peace with others in our lives. 

Hebrews 12:14 tells us: Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. This verse is more than a suggestion to be kind to others - in fact, it’s caution about peace is alarming.  Strive for peace ~ with everyone ~ and for holiness ~ without those, we will not see the Lord. In other words, if we are not at peace with everyone in our lives, or if we are not working toward greater holiness in our lives, then we will not see Him. It doesn't give any room for interpretation here - peace with everyone means everyone. There's no room for exception in this verse. It doesn’t say peace with everyone except that one person who committed a horrible act against us, or the person who wronged us in such a way that the hurt was too big to forgive. It doesn’t say everyone against us except that really annoying person you work with, or the family member who constantly seems to be battling with you. Nope. It says everyone. Peace with everyone. Ouch. 

I know what He calls me to do, and I have to choose to do it if I don't want to hear the words, "I never knew you". As Pastor James says, you can't phone it in. No, my heart longs to hear, "well done, my good and faithful servant", so I will work toward making peace with that person my flesh wants to stay away from, and I will put aside the excuses for why I shouldn’t have to live in harmony with specific people. I will put on the shoes of peace with everyone, so that one day, I will see Him. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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