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This is part of a series of posts based on the Churches Together in England publication one light: one world. If you click on the link you will find the biblical texts. This post of the same name covers the purpose of this series.
Hebrews 12: 14 - 15
I'm not sure what is meant by 'see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God'. Let us remember though, the idea that unity is the glory of God. Perhaps this is a specific steer towards ensuring God's grace is present in our relationships.
So, let's think for a moment about baptism. This passage is about the Christian community; it is not about how Christians relate to non-Christians.
We are all baptised (this is not 100% true but near enough for the purpose of this argument). Whilst baptism remains controversial in some respects, there is a significant degree of recognition of one another's baptisms. Baptism is once and for all in most traditions and most recognise each other's baptisms. There are exceptions but we need to and can accept a Christian is baptised whatever route they took to get there. Broadly, this is where the mainstream traditions are at.
We are according to this passage, to make the effort to ensure all the baptised receive the grace of God. That is our task and our success at that task is marked by our experience of the glory of God.
We cannot experience God's glory until we are able to welcome one another, despite our differences. It may be true that for example fundamentalists and liberals can't get on; our task is to see to it that we do, that there is no root of bitterness between us.
Failure to do this means many will become defiled.
We don't have to agree with one another but we must love one another.
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