Devotional
Striving for Peace and Holiness
"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Heb 12:14).
Jul 12, 2025By Paulson Pulikottil
The word "striving" means to run after something to grab hold of it. The goal of the Christian life is to live in peace with other human beings and to live according to God's standard of holiness.
Striving for peace means intentionally living in harmony and avoiding conflict with others, especially with other Christians. Instead of quarrelling, gossiping, slandering, or judging, we must love, forgive, and encourage one another.
Peace is a fruit of the Spirit and a sign of our maturity as believers (Galatians 5:22; James 3:17).
Striving for holiness means living in a way that pleases God and reflects his character. Instead of conforming to the sinful patterns of this world, we must transform our thinking by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2). This means that we should not love the things of the world but rather love God. Holiness is not something we can achieve through our efforts, but something that God works in us by his grace and Spirit.
We should live as peacemakers and holy people in a world of strife and sin. We should do this not to earn our salvation but to express our gratitude and love for God, who saved us by his grace. We should do this not to impress others but to prepare ourselves for the day when we will see the Lord face to face and enjoy His presence forever. We should do this not to be burdened, but to be blessed, for Jesus said: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matt 5:9-10).
In a world that thrives on conflict and compromise, let us strive to be people who seek peace and holiness. Examine your heart today: are there relationships that need healing, words that need softening, or habits that need surrendering to God’s refining grace? Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit so that peace becomes your testimony and holiness your pursuit. Share this message with someone longing for a life of purpose and peace — and let us walk this path together, until we see Him face to face.