“Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
In plain words: Make peace with everyone your goal, and keep growing in the God-honoring life He gives, because without holiness no one will see the Lord.
What Hebrews 12:14 means.
Pursue peace with everyone. Peace doesn’t just happen. You chase it.
Common questions about Hebrews 12:14
Does everyone really mean everyone, even people who hurt me?
The verse does say everyone, so it is a big call. Romans 12:18 adds a helpful piece: as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. You can only do your part. You cannot control what the other person does. Pursuing peace means letting go of revenge, speaking kindly, and staying open to making things right. It does not mean staying close to someone who is hurting or threatening you. If you are in danger, your safety comes first. You can keep a safe distance and still wish that person well.
Apply it today: Pray for one person who is hard to get along with, and ask for help to do your part toward peace.
What is holiness, and why does it say no one will see the Lord without it?
Holiness means being set apart for God, living His way instead of just drifting with the crowd. That can sound scary, as if you must be perfect first. But the Bible says Jesus makes believers holy through His death for them (Hebrews 10:10). Then the Holy Spirit helps them grow in living that way. So holiness is not a score you earn. It is a life that begins with trusting Jesus and keeps growing. The verse says pursue it, which means keep moving toward it, one step at a time.
Apply it today: Name one habit you want to leave behind, and ask Jesus today to help you take one step away from it.
How do I chase peace in real life?
Peace usually starts with small, brave steps. Jesus said peacemakers are blessed (Matthew 5:9). Begin by praying for the person you are at odds with. Then look honestly at your own part in the problem and own it. If someone has wronged you, Jesus taught going to them privately and talking it through (Matthew 18:15). Choose gentle words, because Proverbs 15:1 says a gentle answer turns away anger. Some hurts take time to heal, and that is okay. You keep stepping toward peace, even slowly.
Apply it today: Send a kind, honest message today to someone you have been at odds with.
Ask anything about it.
Every question gets a clear answer in seconds, and a way to live it today.
Live it today.
Reach out today to someone where things are tense, and pursue peace.
Pray it back.
Father, make me a pursuer of peace.
Carry it all day.
Put today’s verse on your lock screen, so every time you pick up your phone, the Word is the first thing you see.
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One verse every morning at 7 a.m. your time. Leave any time.