every effort

As we continue to see evidence of increased animosity between groups of people around us - in families, neighborhoods, communities, states, and nations - we are to live differently.  As His Body, we join Jesus, in [Whom] all things hold together (Colossians 3:17).

Instead of trying to cancel or eliminate the "others", the "thems", we are to make every effort to live at peace with everyone, and to be holy (Hebrews 12:14).  Especially in these contentious times, it would seem as if our holiness has to do with our being set apart in God's True Love, and in drawing near to all others in that Love Who died on the cross to make peace with all.  Without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).  With the holiness of God's Love in us as peacemakers, we will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9).

This is our moment.  This is our time.  We dare not lose this opportunity to demonstrate The Love of God with those who are enemies of each other and, perhaps, of us.  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 (Hebrews 12:15).  May we make every effort to cooperate with God's Grace, and to let Him root out any root of bitterness in us, and let Him use us to do the same for those around us.

Jesus has no other plan but to use us in this great effort of peacemaking.  Let's get to it.