Peace and holiness… lest anyone fall short of God’s grace. God gives grace to people so we can be His peacemakers and reflect His holiness to the world.
Esau enjoyed the same provisions of sonship as Jacob in his father Isaac’s home. But Esau spent his father’s favor on fornication and perverse activities. When the moment came for Esau to choose between his birthright and self-indulgence, he chose self-indulgence. His father gave the blessing of his firstborn to his brother Jacob. Esau became bitter afterwards and wanted to kill Jacob.
“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” [2]
We have good reason to shun ill-willed feelings towards God and others. Thanks to Christ, our Mediator, thanks to His shed blood on the cross for the remission of all our sins, we have a free pass to enter the city of the living God. We get to assemble with angels in heaven. God is going to perfect us.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” [3]
Let us have grace towards ourselves and one another because thanks to Christ we have inherited a kingdom that will neither decline, nor its citizens suffer want. Thanks to Christ, we shall not be destroyed when God destroys the devil and his followers.
[1] Hebrews 12:14-17
[2] Hebrews 12:22-24
[3] Hebrews 12:28-29
Esau enjoyed the same provisions of sonship as Jacob in his father Isaac’s home. But Esau spent his father’s favor on fornication and perverse activities. When the moment came for Esau to choose between his birthright and self-indulgence, he chose self-indulgence. His father gave the blessing of his firstborn to his brother Jacob. Esau became bitter afterwards and wanted to kill Jacob.
“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” [2]
We have good reason to shun ill-willed feelings towards God and others. Thanks to Christ, our Mediator, thanks to His shed blood on the cross for the remission of all our sins, we have a free pass to enter the city of the living God. We get to assemble with angels in heaven. God is going to perfect us.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.” [3]
Let us have grace towards ourselves and one another because thanks to Christ we have inherited a kingdom that will neither decline, nor its citizens suffer want. Thanks to Christ, we shall not be destroyed when God destroys the devil and his followers.
[1] Hebrews 12:14-17
[2] Hebrews 12:22-24
[3] Hebrews 12:28-29
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