<<< Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. >>>
I merely shake my head in disbelief at the way we make "proof texts" out of verses. I don't say this in condemnation but in pure wonder, because it is how I used to view the Bible as well. I know it seemed so "right" at one time, and yet now I see how I was so often hanging out on a limb waving my own proof text around as if my understanding of it was the final word. haha!
Consider how this statement is placed near the end of the letter. This "sanctification" referred to has already been made the highlight of the earlier discussion where the writer claimed:
"By this will we HAVE BEEN sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (10:10)
"For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who ARE sanctified." (10:14)
This sanctification, or made holy, or made righteous, is a done deal and is in total contrast to what they had been pursuing, which was a BOGUS law-based sanctification. The writer's whole build-up was to make it so obvious that being made righteous could in no way happen by observing the sacrifices of bulls and goats, but had ALREADY been accomplished by Christ.
To touch on it again at this point in the letter was demanding that the "once and for all" santification brought by Christ has EVERYTHING to do with the everyday issues of our lives. Now, notice how the writer clarifies what sanctification he refers to: "the sanctification WITHOUT WHICH NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD." Well, it sure couldn't be the old performance-based sanctification they were resorting to because that bogus sanctification had no power over sin. The only possible sanctification he demands is that of the once and for all done deal of Christ.
Now, also notice the connection: peace with all men and this sanctification. This is INCREDIBLY significant!! Why? Because there is NO real peace we can have with one another unless it is based upon the peace established by Christ in breaking down the barriers between us. In 1 Corinthians 2:2 Paul writes: "For I determined to know nothing among you except Christ, and him crucified". This is the same thing referred to by the writer of Hebrews because "pursuing" this sanctification is the determination to see all things in view of it.
Hope this helps. If you have more questions based on what I just wrote then send them on over. :)
Jim Minker
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