Hebrews 12:14-17

Hebrews 12:14-17
¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

How much effort?  Every effort.  We never quit.  Now they may reject us, but we don't quit. Romans 12:18

At first read through, one might come to the conclusion that we have to achieve holiness before we can see God and therefore a "works" salvation.  No!  Holiness is a benefit of salvation and forgiveness.  Romans 6:22  It is a gift from God.

¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Just because a person lives in a garage, does not mean they are a car.  Just because a person goes to church, does not mean they are a Christian.  Share the gospel in your church, even when you "know" everyone there is a Christian.

Build relationships with each other.  Someone may be hurting.  Actually where there are humans, someone IS hurting.  Come along side them.  Comfort, help and meet their needs.  Don't allow them to become bitter because their bitterness could cause others to stumble.

¹⁶ See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.

I found it odd that sexual immorality and Esau would be in the same sentence.   As I worked it through, food and sex are both legitimate needs that we as humans have.  God has provided ways for these to be met in a righteous and holy manner.  Esau wanted food NOW and did not care how he got it.  I am now divorced.  I have a choice.  I can wait for God to provide me with a wife or I can chose to fulfill my sexual appetites in my own way.

¹⁷ Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

We can be forgiven for our sins and they will not eternally condemn us, however there are consequences for our sin if we chose to disobey God.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.