Session 11

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

From Hebrews: A 24-Day Devotional

Living in peace with everyone is one of the toughest things we will do. Peace is not the absence of conflict, but a by-product of commitment. We will not always feel like loving the people around us, but we must pursue peace in order to propel people toward Jesus.

Hebrews 12:14-15 says, “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.”

A lack of effort to live in peace develops a bitterness inside of us. When we allow bitterness into our hearts, we’ll find ourselves mad at people over things they didn’t do to us. Disappointment grows into resentment and fills our relationships with jealousy and negativity.

Holiness leads to peace, but a lack of holiness is a critical obstacle to a close relationship with Jesus. A right relationship with Jesus leads to a right relationship with others. We cannot live in peace with others if we are creating conflict and destroying trust. Our actions and attitudes will either facilitate or frustrate our ability to communicate the Gospel and cause either peace or pain in the process.

We have little control over who we meet, but we have complete control over how we respond. Without peace, our attitude will add to the burden others carry instead of add to the unity others need. Through Jesus, we can make every effort to live in peace with others.

Reflect:

• What relationships in your life do you need Jesus to restore?
• How can your attitude toward others shape your day today?
• What can you do to provide peace in the presence of problems?