Phillip Yancey, quoted Hebrews 12:15 at the start of his book Vanishing Grace. The letter went to Hebrew Christians tempted to give up their faith under the pressure of social and political persecution. The writer clearly told them that pursuing holiness and pursuing peace were part of the same mission, not polar opposites between which Christians had to choose. Our central mission as Christ-followers is to share God’s grace in all we do.

• In Vanishing Grace, Yancey wrote, “We are called to proclaim good news of forgiveness and hope, yet I keep coming across evidence that many people do not hear our message as good news … I think of my friends … who support such causes as human rights, education, democracy, and compassion for the weak, most of which stem from Christian roots. Yet they now view Christians as a powerful threat to those causes … Often, it seems, we’re perceived more as guilt dispensers than as grace dispensers.” What experiences have triggered feelings in you similar to those Yancey finds? When have others been “grace dispensers” to you, and when have you been able to do that for others?