Work That Matters

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. —Hebrews 12:14 NLT

It’s Labor Day—a day to celebrate those who labor for a living, which would be most of us. At the same time, for most Americans, it’s a day off from labor and a nice end to summer (even though summer isn’t officially over until mid-September). It’s a day for picnics, barbecues, and relaxation before a return to the daily routine of work. I like holidays, and I like rest. I am in favor of Labor Day!

Today, I am pondering a verse about work that I stumbled upon in Hebrews: “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14 NLT). The word translated “work” here in the New Living Translation, is only used three times in the New Testament. According to Strong’s Concordance, it can mean “to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on as in one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire ….” However it is translated, we are supposed to be ardent and serious in this work.

So, let’s talk about the work of pursuing peace and holy lives. I always want to understand the text and then apply it to my life. We can learn much from this instructional section of Hebrews.

Work at living at peace with everyone. We can all agree that living at peace with everyone certainly requires work. Even though we are often oblivious and selfish, we tend to become easily offended when another’s obliviousness or selfishness touches and hinders our lives. People say and do hurtful things. Sometimes, they completely ignore the wishes of others. It’s much easier to default to sharp words, anger, or cold bitterness when we are hurt. Striving to be at peace requires effort. We are to pursue peace, though.

If we are to show God’s love to a hurting world, we need to forgive often and pray for a heart
to love even the unlovely, all while thanking God that He loves the “often-unlovely-us.”

Work at living a holy life. I love that this follows the command to work at peace-keeping. If we are also to work at being holy, we can’t make peace with someone by joining in with their bad choices to live unholy lives. We need to live at peace, but not at the expense of our integrity and our desire to be holy, “set apart” for His purposes, yielded to His will. Just as living at peace takes effort, so does choosing a holy life. It means letting go of our desire to do what we want. Instead, we follow the King of kings, who tells us to honor our parents, keep His Name holy and revered, and not lie, steal, covet, or commit adultery, among other things. We are to live selflessly for His kingdom’s sake, pointing to Christ by our own walk with God.

This is work that matters eternally. Someday, everyone we know is going to die. That, of course, includes us. After death, we face judgment. We work at living at peace, and we work at living holy so that others may come to know Jesus, who took the punishment for all who come to Him in repentance so that they can then be declared righteous at the time of judgment. This is serious stuff. We work at what matters so that others can know the Lord who loves them. That’s why.

The blessing, of course, is that we don’t work alone. Jesus invites us to “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV). He helps us. He sent the Spirit to dwell within us. And when we choose His path and His yoke, the fruit of the Spirit is ours in growing abundance. With Him, work is not drudgery. It’s love, joy, peace, patience, and so much more! Let’s get to work.

Dear Lord God, help us submit to You so that our work is easy and our burden is light. Help us to live at peace with everyone to the best of our ability and to live holy lives set apart in service to You. Use us, Lord God, for the increase of Your kingdom, that all those we know may come to see You and Your deep love for them. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

You are loved,
Sharon

Sweet Selah Ministries 

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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