Hebrews 12:14 commands: “Pursue peace, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” It is of note that the imperative here is to “PURSUE” peace. It is not just that it would be “nice”, and that we are to receive peace if it happens to come, but as God’s people we are to PURSUE it! That means we are to work towards it; do what it takes to get it; make sacrifices for it. It means that we will refrain from doing things which we know might hinder it.

This should keep us from doing or saying unnecessarily controversial things. There are elements in the gospel which are stumbling stones in and of themselves: the cross of Christ which is foolishness to the world, etc. But we should determine to let THOSE things be the stumbling blocks, and not anything less worthy, like our personal preferences, and opinions about secondary and irrelevant matters. It is not worth the distraction from the most important issues, and the loss of peace with others which will result. Instead, the Bible commands us to set those things aside, and “pursue peace”!