The PURSUIT OF HOLINESS

KEY VERSE Heb 12:14

Hebrews 12:14 KJV 1900

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

INTRODUCTION:-

We have just done a study on the subject of Holiness.

It would not be faithful of me as a pastor not to give us a way of practice to pursue this Holiness.

HOLINESS is mainly about What we are LOOKING at and LOOKING tooo

May i suggest 3 areas we are to look at and fourthly HOW we should be looking

I } CLOUD OF WITNESSES

Heb 12:1-13

Hebrews 12:1–13 KJV 1900

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

It has been suggested that this Exhortation began back in Heb 10:19

Hebrews 10:19 KJV 1900

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Being interrupted by the Heb11:1-40

Hebrews 11:1–40 KJV 1900

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

This section moves on through to Heb12:15-21

Hebrews 12:15–21 KJV 1900

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

Time fails us to dwell on the faith of the other saints of the old covenant.

But they must not be passed over in silence.

The impression produced by our author’s splendid roll of the heroes of faith in the eleventh chapter is the result quite as much of an accumulation of examples as of the special greatness of a few among them.

At the close they appear like an overhanging "cloud" of witnesses for God.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau; and Jacob, dying in a strange land, blessed the sons of Joseph, distinguishing wittingly, and bestowing on each[289]hekaston (Heb 11:21).

Hebrews 11:21 KJV 1900

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

his own peculiar blessing.

His faith became a prophetic inspiration, and even distinguished between the future of Ephraim and the future of Manasseh.

He did not create the blessing.

He was only a steward of God’s mysteries.

Faith well understood its own limitations.

But it drew its inspiration to foretell what was to come from a remembrance of God’s faithfulness in the past.

For, before[290] Gen 47:31.

Genesis 47:31 KJV 1900

31 And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.

he gave his blessing, he had bowed his head in worship, leaning upon the top of his staff. In his dying hour he recalled the day on which he had passed over Jordan with his staff,--a day remembered by him once before, when he had become two bands, wrestled with the angel, and halted on his thigh. His staff had become his token of the covenant, his reminder of God’s faithfulness, his sacrament, or visible sign of an invisible grace.

Joseph, though he was so completely Egyptianised that he did not, like Jacob, ask to be buried in Canaan, and only two of his sons became, through Jacob’s blessing, heirs of the promise, yet gave commandment concerning his bones.

His faith believed that the promise given to Abraham would be fulfilled.

The children of Israel might dwell in Goshen and prosper.

But they would sooner or later return to Canaan.

When his end drew near, his Egyptian greatness was forgotten.

The piety of his childhood returned. He remembered God’s promise to his fathers.

Perhaps it was his father Jacob’s dying blessing that had revived the thoughts of the past and fanned his faith into a steady flame.

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down."[291] Heb 11:30.

Hebrews 11:30 KJV 1900

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

When the Israelites had crossed Jordan and eaten of the old corn of the land, the manna ceased. The period of continued miracle came to an end. Henceforth they would smite their enemies with their armed thousands. But one signal miracle the Lord would yet perform in the sight of all Israel. The walls of the first city they came to would fall down flat, when the seven priests would blow with the trumpets of rams’ horns the seventh time on the seventh day. Israel believed, and as God had said, so it came to pass.

The treachery of a harlot even is mentioned by the Apostle as an instance of faith.[292] Heb 11:31.

Hebrews 11:31 KJV 1900

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Justly. For, whilst her past life and present act were neither better nor worse than the morality of her time, she saw the hand of the God of heaven in the conquest of the land, and bowed to His decision.

This was a greater faith than that of her daughter-in-law, Ruth, whose name is not mentioned.

Ruth believed in Naomi and, as a consequence, accepted Naomi’s God and people.[293] Rth 1:16.

Ruth 1:16 KJV 1900

16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Rahab believed in God first, and, therefore, accepted the Israelitish conquest and adopted the nationality of the conquerors.[294] Mat 1:5.

Matthew 1:5 KJV 1900

5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;

Of the judges the Apostle selects four: Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah.

The mention of Barak must be understood to include Deborah, who was the mind and heart that moved Barak’s arm; and Deborah was a prophetess of the Lord.

She and Barak wrought their mighty deeds and sang their pæan in faith.[295] Jdg 4:4; Jdg 4:5 :

Judges 4:4 KJV 1900

4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

Judges 4:5 KJV 1900

5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

Gideon put the Midianites to flight by faith; for he knew that his sword was the sword of the Lord,[296] Jdg 7:18.

Judges 7:18 KJV 1900

18 When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.

Jephthah was a man of faith; for he vowed a vow unto the Lord, and would not go back.[297] Jdg 11:35.

Judges 11:35 KJV 1900

35 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back.

Samson had faith; for he was a Nazarite to God from his mother’s womb, and in his last extremity called unto the Lord and prayed.[298] Jdg 13:7; Jdg 16:28.

Judges 13:7 KJV 1900

7 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

Judges 16:28 KJV 1900

28 And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

The Apostle does not name Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, and the rest.

The Spirit of the Lord came upon them also. They too were mighty through God.

But the narrative does not tell us that they prayed, or that their soul consciously and believingly responded to the voice of Heaven.

Alaric, while on his march towards Rome, said to a holy monk, who entreated him to spare the city, that he did not go of his own will, but that One was continually urging him forward to take it.[299] Robertson, History of the Christian Church, book 2:, Heb 7:1-28 :

Hebrews 7:1–28 KJV 1900

1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Many are the scourges of God that know not the hand that wields them.

Individuals "through faith subdued kingdoms."[300] Heb 11:33.

Hebrews 11:33 KJV 1900

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Gideon dispersed the Midianites;[301] Jdg 7:1-25

Judges 7:1–25 KJV 1900

1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. 2 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. 3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. 4 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. 5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. 6 And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. 7 And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. 8 So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley. 9 And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand. 10 But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host: 11 And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host. 12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude. 13 And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. 14 And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host. 15 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. 16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do. 18 When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. 19 So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. 20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. 21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. 22 And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath. 23 And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites. 24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan. 25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.

Barak discomfited Sisera, the captain of Jabin king of Canaan’s host; Jephthah smote the Ammonites;[302] Jdg 11:33.

Judges 11:33 KJV 1900

33 And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

David held the Philistines in check,[303] 2Sa 5:25.measured Moab with a line,[304]2Sa 8:2; 2Sa 8:6. and put garrisons in Syria of Damascus.

2 Samuel 5:25 KJV 1900

25 And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

2 Samuel 8:2 KJV 1900

2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.

2 Samuel 8:6 KJV 1900

6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.

Samuel "wrought righteousness," and taught the people the good and the right way.[305] 1Sa 12:23.

1 Samuel 12:23 KJV 1900

23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

David "obtained the fulfilment of God’s promises:" his house was blessed that it should continue for ever before God.[306] 2Sa 7:28-29.

2 Samuel 7:28–29 KJV 1900

28 And now, O Lord God, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: 29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

Daniel’s faith stopped the mouths of lions.[307] Dan 6:22.

Daniel 6:22 KJV 1900

22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

The faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted in God, and quenched the power of the fire, without extinguishing its flame.[308] Dan 3:27-28.

Daniel 3:27–28 KJV 1900

27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Elijah escaped the edge of Ahab’s sword.[309] 1Ki 19:1-3.

1 Kings 19:1–3 KJV 1900

1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

Elisha’s faith saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about him.[310] 2Ki 6:17.

2 Kings 6:17 KJV 1900

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Hezekiah "from weakness was made strong."[311] 2Ki 20:5.

2 Kings 20:5 KJV 1900

5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.

The widow of Zarephath[313] 1Ki 17:22.and the Shunammite[314] 2Ki 4:35. received their dead back into their embrace in consequence of[315] (Heb 11:35). a resurrection wrought by the faith of the prophets.

1 Kings 17:22 KJV 1900

22 And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

2 Kings 4:35 KJV 1900

35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

Hebrews 11:35 KJV 1900

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Others refused deliverance, gladly accepting the alternative to unfaithfulness, to be beaten to death, that they might be accounted worthy[316] Luk 20:35. to attain the better world and the resurrection, not of, but from, the dead, which is the resurrection to eternal life.

Luke 20:35 KJV 1900

35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Such a man was the aged Eleazar in the time of the Maccabees.[317]

Zechariah was stoned to death at the commandment of Joash the king in the court of the house of the Lord.[318]2Ch 24:21.

2 Chronicles 24:21 KJV 1900

21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord.

Isaiah is said to have been sawn asunder in extreme old age by the order of Manasseh. Others were burnt[319] by Antiochus Epiphanes.

Elijah had no settled abode, but went from place to place clad in a garment of hair, the skin of sheep or goat.

It ought not to be a matter of surprise that these men of God had no dwelling-place, but were, like the Apostles after them, buffeted, persecuted, defamed, and made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things.

For the world was not worthy of them.

The world crucified their Lord, and they would be ashamed of accepting better treatment than He received.

By the world is meant the life of those who know not Christ.

The men of faith were driven out of the cities into the desert, out of homes into prisons.

But their faith was an assurance of things hoped for and, therefore, a solvent of fear. Their proving of things not seen rendered the prison, as Tertullian says,[320] a place of retirement, and the desert a welcome escape from the abominations that met their eyes wherever the world had set up its vanity fair.

All these sturdy men of faith have had witness borne to them in Scripture.

This honour they won from time to time, as the Spirit of Christ, which was in the prophets, saw fit to encourage the people of God on earth by their example.

Are we forbidden to suppose that this witness to their faith gladdened their own glorified spirits, and calmed their eager expectation of the day when the promise would be fulfilled?

For, after all, their reward was not the testimony of Scripture, but their own perfection.

Now this perfection is described through out the Epistle as a priestly consecration. It expresses fitness for entering into immediate communion with God. This was the final fulfilment of the promise. This was the blessing which the saints under the old covenant had not obtained. The way of the holiest had not yet been opened.[321]Heb 9:8.

Hebrews 9:8 KJV 1900

8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Consequently their faith consisted essentially in endurance.

"None of these received the promise," but patiently waited.

This is inferred concerning them from the testimony of Scripture that they believed.

Their faith must have manifested itself in this form,--endurance.

To us, at length, the promise has been fulfilled.

God has spoken unto us in His Son.

We have a great High-priest, Who has passed through the heavens.

The Son, as High-priest, has been perfected for evermore; that is, He is endowed with fitness to enter into the true holiest place.

He has perfected also for ever them that are sanctified: freed from guilt as worshippers, they enter the holiest through a priestly consecration.

The new and living way has been dedicated through the veil.

But the important point is that the fulfilment of the promise has not dispensed with the necessity for faith.

We saw, in an earlier chapter, that the revelation of the Sabbath advances from lower forms of rest to higher and more spiritual.

The more stubborn the unbelief of men became, the more fully the revelation of God’s promise opened up.

The thought is somewhat similar in the present passage.

The final form which God’s promise assumes is an advance on any fulfilment vouchsafed to the saints of the old covenant during their earthly life.

It now includes perfection, or fitness to enter into the holiest through the blood of Christ.

It means immediate communion with God.

Far from dispensing with faith, this form of the promise demands the exercise of a still better faith than the fathers had.

They endured by faith; we through faith enter the holiest.

To them, as well as to us, faith is an assurance of things hoped for and a proving of things not seen; but our assurance must incite us to draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.

This is the better faith which is not once ascribed in the eleventh chapter to the saints of the Old Testament.

On the contrary, we are given to understand[322] Heb 2:15. that they, through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Hebrews 2:15 KJV 1900

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

But Christ has abolished death.

For we enter into the presence of God, not through death, but through faith.

In accordance with this, the Apostle says that "God provided some better thing concerning us."[323] Heb 11:40.

Hebrews 11:40 KJV 1900

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

These words cannot mean that God provided some better thing for us than He had provided for the fathers.

Such a notion would not be true.

The promise was made to Abraham, and is now fulfilled to all the heirs alike; that is, to those who are of the faith of Abraham.

The author says "concerning,"[324] not "for."

The idea is that God foresaw we would, and provided (for the word implies both things) that we should, manifest a better kind of faith than it was possible for the fathers to show, better in so far as power to enter the holiest place is better than endurance.

But the author adds another thought. Through the exercise of the better faith by us, the fathers also enter with us into the holiest place.

"Apart from us they could not be made perfect."

The priestly consecration becomes theirs through us.

Such is the unity of the Church, and such the power of faith, that those who could not believe, or could not believe in a certain way, for themselves, receive the fulness of the blessing through the faith of others.

Nothing less will do justice to the Apostle’s words than the notion that the saints of the old covenant have, through the faith of the Christian Church, entered into more immediate and intimate communion with God than they had before, though in heaven.

We now understand why they take so deep an interest in the running of the Christian athletes on earth.

They surround their course, like a great cloud.

They know that they will enter into the holiest if we win the race.

For every new victory of faith on earth, there is a new revelation of God in heaven.

Even the angels, the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, learn, says St. Paul, through the Church the manifold wisdom of God.[325]Eph 3:10.

Ephesians 3:10 KJV 1900

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

How much more will the saints, members of the Church, brethren of Christ, be better able to apprehend the love and power of God, Who makes weak, sinful men conquerors over death and its fear.

The word "witnesses"[326] martyrôn (Heb 12:1).does not itself refer to their looking on, as spectators of the race.

Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Another word would almost certainly have been used to express this notion, which is moreover contained in the phrase "having so great a cloud surrounding[327] us."

The thought seems to be that the men to whose faith the Spirit of Christ in Scripture bare witness were themselves witnesses for God in a godless world, in the same sense in which Christ tells His disciples that they were His witnesses, and Ananias tells Saul that he would be a witness for Christ.[328] Act 1:8; Act 22:14.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 22:14 KJV 1900

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

Every one who confessed Christ before men, him did Christ also confess before His Church which is on earth, and does now confess before His Father in heaven, by leading him into God’s immediate presence.

From the Cloud of Witnesses

I. THE WITNESSES.

And what are the truths they bear witness to?

1. They bear witness to the fact that their confidence in God was not misplaced.

A man may fail, but God never.

2. They bear witness to the sufficiency of Divine grace.

They had no more natural goodness than we; but they overcame it all, and it was in the strength of the Lord they did so.

3. They bear witness to the faithfulness of God to His promises.

we can see 2 aspects of FAITH

a. The aspect of SUFFERING.

b. The aspect of a FUTURE HOME

The author has told his readers that they have need of endurance;[329] but when he connects this endurance with faith, he describes faith, not as an enduring of present evils, but as an assurance of things hoped for in the future.

His meaning undoubtedly is that assurance of the future gives strength to endure the present.

These are two distinct aspects of faith.

In the eleventh chapter both sides of faith are illustrated in the long catalogue of believers under the Old Testament.

Examples of men waiting for the promise and having an assurance of things hoped for come first.

They are Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

In some measure these witnesses of God suffered; but the more prominent feature of their faith was expectation of a future blessing.

Moses is next mentioned.

He marks a transition.

In him the two qualities of faith appear to strive for the pre-eminence.

He chooses to be evil entreated with the people of God, because he knows that the enjoyment of sin is short-lived; he suffers the reproach of Christ, and looks away from it to the recompense of reward.

After him conflict and endurance are more prominent in the history of believers than assurance of the future.

Many of these later heroes of faith had a more or less dim vision of the unseen; and in the case of those of whose faith nothing is said in the Old Testament except that they endured, the other phase of this spiritual power is not wanting.

For the Church is one through the ages, and the clear eye of an earlier period cannot be disconnected from the strong arm of a later time.

In the twelfth chapter the two aspects of faith exemplified in the saints of the Old Testament are urged on the Hebrew Christians.

Now practically for the first time in the Epistle the writer addresses himself to the difficulties and discouragements of a state of conflict.

In the earlier chapters he exhorted his readers to hold fast their own individual confession of Christ.

In the later portions he exhorted them to quicken the faith of their brethren in the Church assemblies.

But his account of the worthies of the Old Testament in the previous chapter has revealed a special adaptedness in faith to meet the actual condition of his readers.

We gather from the tenor of the passage that the Church had to contend against evil men.

Who they were we do not know.

They were "the sinners."

Our author is claiming for the Christian Church the right to speak of the men outside in the language used by Jews concerning the heathen; and it is not at all unlikely that the unbelieving Jews themselves are here meant.

His readers had to endure the gainsaying of sinners, who poured contempt on Christianity, as they had also covered Christ Himself with shame.

The Church might have to resist unto blood in striving against the encompassing sin.

Peace is to be sought and followed after with all men, but not to the injury of that sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord.[330]

The true people of God must go forth unto Jesus without the camp of Judaism, bearing His reproach.[331]

What we see in this passage the HEROES of the FAITH

THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES

THIS LEADS TO AND INSTRUCTS US TO RUN THE RACE

II. THE APOSTLE’S ADVICE.

1. We are to “lay aside every weight.” I need scarce name particular things.

In some it is vanity, in others worldliness, in others unlawful pleasure, in others a violent temper, others unholy attachments.

It is, in fact, whatever deadens thy soul, and holds thee back when thou shouldest be pressing forward to the skies.

2. We are to renounce “the sin that doth so easily beset us.”

To “beset,” means “to surround,” and the sin that so easily besets us is that to which we are most liable.

Very often, indeed mostly, it is that sin to which we were most given before our conversion:

as when a breach is made in a wall, it is easier to effect another breach in that place, although it may be built up again, than where stone has never been dislodged.

With different constitutions, and with different ages, there are different easily besetting sins.

With youth it is often passion—evil desire.

With age it is often fretfulness—peevishness.

With the rich it is often pride and grasping of power;

with the poor it is often repining s against providence.

With the healthy it is often forgetfulness of God, and of their latter end;

with the sick it is often rebellion against Him who lays on the rod.

3. We are also to “ run with patience the race set before us.”

If a thing take us a long time in doing, we are inclined to be impatient about it.

Or, if the word may be more properly translated,” perseverance.”

Then, if a journey is long, we are generally inclined to grow weary and loiter by the way.

But if the road is long and dusty, we are to be patient.

If the trial is severe, we are to be patient, and not allow our souls to be agitated.

Sometimes the blessing we expect may be delayed, but we are to be patient in waiting for it.

Sometimes our persecutions may be fierce indeed, but we are to be patient whilst we endure them.

This grace is like the rivet that binds all the machinery together.

II} CHRIST:-

HOPE OF OUR FAITH{ENDURANCE}

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Heb 12:2.

a.Looking.

—More precisely “looking off,” “looking away.”

It implies “the concentration of the wandering gaze in a single direction.”

b. Author.—ἀρχηγόν: see Heb 2:10.

Leader, Imitator, Captain, Prince, Bringer-on.

Hebrews 2:10 KJV 1900

10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

He who introduced the new religion.

c. Finisher.—τελειωτήν.

The one who has Himself reached the goal for which we are striving.

There is a guarantee in His having completed the race (1Pe 1:9).

1 Peter 1:9 KJV 1900

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Looking off unto Jesus.—

In the old Grecian games it was necessary to keep the eye of the runner fixed on the goal.

So we must turn our attention from everything else and fix it on Christ, if we would run well the Christian race.

I. Under what apprehensions of Him are we to look to Christ?—

1. As Saviour.

Illustrate by the figures, “Alpha and Omega”; ransom; opened prison; slave given his freedom. The look should be one of gratitude.

2. As Master.

Illustrate by figures, captain leading army; king; Joshua seeing “Captain of host”; St. Paul receiving orders from the glorified Jesus. The look should be one of obedience.

3. Example:

Jesus is the model of a man dwelt in by the Spirit of God. Imitation needs the presence of a model.

II. In what scenes are we to look to Jesus?—

1. Common duty. Christ’s image can be reflected in a little pool even better than in a great lake.

2. Times of temptation.

3. Times of difficulty. Imagine Moses anxiously looking every morning, the first thing, to see whether the pillar-cloud had moved.

4. Means of grace. What is ever brought to mind by the church steeples pointing upwards.

III. What sort of looks should they be?—

1. Trustful. A man on a height looks up, not down.

2. Obedient. The proper spirit of servants.

3. Loving, as to our mother or our dearest friend.

We shall look to Christ the better, the better we come to know Him.

Know Him worthily, and we shall look off to Him altogether.

Looking unto Jesus:

The expression before us is one of the pithy golden sayings which stand out here and there on the face of the New Testament, and demand special attention.

It is like “to me to live is Christ,” “Christ is all and in all,” “Christ who is our life,” “He is our peace,” “I live by the faith of the Son of God.”

To each and all of these sayings one common remark applies.

They contain far more than a careless eye can see on the surface.

But the grand question which rises out of the text is this:

What is that we are to look at in Jesus?

I. First and foremost, if we would look rightly to Jesus, we must look daily at His DEATH, as the only source of inward peace.

We all need peace.

Now there is only one source of peace revealed in Scripture, and that is the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and the atonement which He has made for sin by that vicarious death on the Cross.

To obtain a portion in that great peace, we have only to look by faith to Jesus, as our substitute and Redeemer.

II. In the second place, if we would look rightly to Jesus, we must look daily to His LIFE OF INTERCESSION, in heaven, as our principal provision of strength and help.

While we are fighting Amalek in the valley below, one greater than Moses is holding up His hands for us in heaven, and through His intercession we shall prevail.

III. In the third place, if we would look rightly to Jesus, we must look at His EXAMPLE as our chief standard of holy living.

We must all feel, I suspect, and often feel, how hard it is to regulate our daily lives by mere rules and regulations.

But surely it would cut many a knot and solve many a problem if we could cultivate the habit of studying the daily behaviour of our Lord as recorded in the four Gospels, and striving to shape our own behaviour by its pattern.

We may well be humbled when we think how unlike the best of us are to our example, and what poor blurred copies of His character we show to mankind.

Like careless children at school we are content to copy those around us with all their faults, and do not look constantly at the only faultless copy, the One perfect man in whom even Satan could find nothing.

But one thing at any rate we must all admit.

If Christians during the last nineteen plus centuries had been more like Christ, the Church would certainly have been far more beautiful, and probably have done far more good to the world.

IV. Fourthly, and lastly, if we would look to Jesus rightly, we must look forward to His SECOND ADVENT, AS THE TRUEST FOUNTAIN OF HOPE AND CONSOLATION.

That the early Christians were always looking forward to a second coming of their risen Master, is a fact beyond all controversy.

In all their trials and persecutions, under Roman Emperors and heathen rulers, they cheered one another with the thought that their own King would soon come again, and plead their cause.

It ought to be the consolation of Christians in these latter days as much as it was in primitive times. (Bishop Ryle.)

III] CROSS:-

HISTORY OF FAITH

Completely engulfed in the person of christ

a. Totally ENGULFED in the Person of Christ.

b. Total ENDURANCE of the CROSS and the CONTRADICTION of Sinners.

Word Contradiction :- means Strife, the Conflict, The Disobedience of Sinners , keep this thought in the Mind for now.

Endured the Cross

The Cross carried, and the shame despised by Jesus

I. WHAT WAS THE CROSS WHICH JESUS CHRIST ENDURED?

Was not the whole life of Jesus cross-bearing from the beginning to the end? But there were three things which may emphatically be called the Cross of Christ.

1. His being made sin for us. God did not make Jesus sinful; but God treated Jesus Christ as though He were a sinner. Herein was a Cross.

2. Jesus was wounded by God for transgression, and bruised for iniquity.

3. Jesus Christ’s dying as a notorious malefactor, and thus dying for the ungodly was another part of His Cross.

II. WHAT WAS THE SHAME WHICH HE DESPISED?

This was disgrace, reproach, with the passions and emotions which they are supposed to awaken, and which in all purity and power they did awaken in the human nature of your Saviour.

III. BUT WHAT WAS THE MANNER AND SPIRIT OF HIS ENDURANCE AND OF HIS CONTEMPT?

For this chiefly is the point. Observe, He endured the Cross.

He felt the Cross to be a Cross.

He felt it as a man.

Do not overlook the complete humanity of your Redeemer.

He felt His Cross more than we could have felt it could we have carried it.

Sinfulness blunts the susceptibilities of our nature: purity and holiness keep the pores of the spirit open.

This was the case with Christ.

He endured the Cross in its full weight.

He looked at the Cross as it was presented to Him, and He lifted it, and sustained on His own shoulder its full weight; and I would say to you if you want to get any good out of cross-bearing, always let the full weight of it come upon your shoulder.

I do not say let the full weight of it come upon your shoulder, you being unstrengthened by the Almighty power; but I say, use no artifice to escape the pressure of any trouble that God sends you.

When God sends a trouble to you, let it come down upon you as He sends it, and employ no artifices to reduce its pressure.

Jesus endured the Cross in its full weight, and he endured the Cross to the very end.

He took it up, and to the close of life He carried it; but He endured it courageously, patiently, cheerfully, and effectually.

“Despising the shame.” Jesus felt the shame. Did His cheek never redden, think you, or His lip never quiver when reviled?

Was there no blush upon His cheek when men called Him a Sabbath-breaker, and a blasphemer, and said that He cast out devils by the prince of devils?

Often, doubtless, did that cheek redden and that lip quiver, tie felt the shame: and, mark, to despise being despised is about the hardest thing in life.

Why do you find some sincere Christians continuing in certain ecclesiastical connections into which their convictions would never lead them, and in which their convictions do not keep them?

Because they cannot despise being despised. You may account for the anomalous position of hundreds of Christ’s disciples by this very circumstance—

they have not learned, even from the Great Teacher of this hard lesson, to despise the shame; they have not learned to despise being despised.

The shame was never seen to hinder Christ from saying a true word, or from doing a right thing.

Now all this is the more remarkable because of three circumstances.

First, Christ’s clear foresight of the Cross and of the shame.

He saw both before Him, yet He yielded Himself to endure them.

Secondly, His full appreciation of the Cross and the shame.

And, thirdly, His deep and quick sensitiveness towards all cross-bearing and towards all shame.

Now, bearing these things in mind, Christ’s enduring the Cross and despising the shame becomes exceedingly wonderful as they appear in our Saviour’s life.

Having expounded the text, let us use the truths it contains for practical purposes.

Observe, then, that this text exhibits something done in which you may find rest and peace.

Jesus has endured the Cross; Jesus has despised the shame.

Your cross which you could not endure He has endured; the shame which you never could have borne, and which would have overwhelmed you,

He so bore as to despise it.

And He asks you to believe this, and to act accordingly.

He would not have you go about carrying the cross, say, of your own guilt.

You are not to carry that cross.

You have your cross to carry, but this is not yours.

But, further, the text suggests that there is something yet to be done—a very different thing from the something done; but still there is something to be done.

Every man is called to carry a cross, but not every man the same cross; nor is every shoulder equally sensitive or equally strong.

Troubles vary, and the pressure of the same troubles is different upon different individuals-and you know why.

The reason is to be found in temperament, in disposition, in the state of the body, in the condition of the spirit, in the character, in the pursuits, and in the circumstances of a man.

But we all have our cross and our shame; and I have now to ask you, do we endure the cross? Do we despise the shame? (S. Martin.)

IV] WHAT WAS The Savior's endurance and joy:

There are two ways in which the history of Bible saints ought to stimulate our faith and courage.

This purpose they serve when presented to our minds as examples.

They prove that the truths which the Bible teaches are not airy fancies or musty theories, which cannot be reduced into practice, and shrink from the fiery tests of every-day life.

The force of example is a thought which long ago has been coined into a proverb.

The ancient Romans were accustomed to place the busts of famous ancestors in the vestibules of their houses, in order to remind young people, as they passed to and fro, of the noble deeds of those ancestors, and fire them with the laudable ambition to excel in wisdom, goodness, and valour.

The life of a hero has been known to colour the spirit of an age.

The life of Napoleon Bonaparte has kindled the love of military glory in many a youthful heart; the touching story of Howard’s labours has moved many a man to deeds of charity and kindness.

A. CONSIDER THE SEVERE ORDEAL, THROUGH WHICH HE PASSED.

The atoning sorrows of Christ came from several sources or directions.

1. Strange as it may appear, much of the pain and grief came from human malice and opposition.

I say strange, for one would have concluded that all the sympathy and help of men would most certainly be enlisted on His side, as soon as they were told that to save their souls was His gracious object.

2. Another element in the sufferings of Jesus was the malicious opposition of the devil and his angels.

As a Divine Being, of course these rebellious creatures were subject to His power and could do Him no harm. But in condescending to assume human nature, and undertaking to work out the plan of salvation, Christ voluntarily exposed Himself to the power of these malignant spirits.

3. But the chief source of the Redeemer’s suffering was the wrath of His Father.

As the fire which consumed the sacrifices laid upon Jewish altars came down from heaven, so the holy fire that consumed the sacrifice offered upon the altar of Calvary descended from God the Father.

But although the Father’s wrath was not vindictive in its nature, and rested not on personal but public grounds, it pressed with fearful weight upon the Saviour.

With the smile of His Father shining into His soul, and lighting up therein an abiding summer, Christ could have braved any trial to which He might be summoned without a moan or murmur.

But why those shrinking s in Gethsemane from the task that was assigned Him?

“If it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.”

That cup contained ingredients so bitter that none but God could have compounded them.

B. CONSIDER, AGAIN, THE SPIRIT HE DISPLAYED.

It is true He did not covet suffering.

He made no virtue of endurance.

His courage was apparent through the whole course of His public life, but not with such a splendour of manifestation as in His dying hour.

Some plants when pressed display more of their colours, and diffuse more of their fragrance.

The diamond when broken into splinters glitters all the more; and despite the dishonors that gather so thickly around the Cross of Emmanuel, the lustre of His courage burst through the gloom, and shone with unwonted power.

And if you seek the highest pattern of serene patience and fortitude, it is to the sufferer that hangs on the Cross of Calvary we point you.

C. CONSIDER, AGAIN, THE MOTIVE WHICH SUSTAINED HIM.

“Who for the joy that was set before Him.” (J. H. Morgan)

Despising the shame

The shameful Sufferer

D. THE SHAMEFUL SUFFERER.

The text speaks of shame, and therefore before entering upon suffering, allow me to say to say a word or two about the shame.

Perhaps there is nothing which men so much abhor more than shame.

We find that death itself has often been preferable in the minds of men to shame; and even the most wicked and callous-hearted have dreaded the shame and contempt of their fellow-creatures far more than any tortures to which they could have been exposed.

It is well known that criminals and malefactors have often had a greater fear of public contempt than of anything else.

In the Savior's case, shame would be peculiarly shameful; the nobler a man’s nature, the more readily does he perceive the slightest contempt, and the more acutely does he feel it.

The eye that hath faced the sun cannot endure darkness without a tear.

But Christ who was more than noble, matchlessly noble, something more than of a royal race, for Him to be shamed and mocked must have been dreadful indeed.

Besides, some minds are of such a delicate and sensitive disposition that they feel things far more than others.

He loved with all His soul; His strong passionate heart was fixed upon the welfare of the human race; and to be mocked by those for whom He died, to be spit upon by the creatures whom He came to save, to come unto His own, and to find that His own received Him not, but actually cast Him out, this was pain indeed.

1. And behold the Savior's shame in His shameful accusation.

He in whom was no sin, and who had done no ill, was charged with sin of the blackest kind.

He was first arraigned before the Sanhedrin on no less a charge than that of blasphemy.

Could He blaspheme? No.

And it is just because it was so contrary to His character that He felt the accusation.

Nor did this content them.

Having charged Him with breaking the first table, they then charged Him with violating the second: they said He was guilty of sedition; they declared that He was a traitor to the government of Caesar, that He stirred up the people, declaring that He Himself was a king. What would you think, good citizens and good Christians, if you were charged with such a crime as this?

Ah! but your Master had to endure this as well as the other.

He despised the shameful indictments, and was numbered with the transgressors.

2. Christ not only endured shameful accusation, but He endured shameful mocking.

When Christ was taken away to Herod, Herod set Him at nought.

The original word signifies “made nothing” of Him.

It is an amazing thing to find that man should make nothing of the Son of God, who is all in all.

3. He endured a shameful death.

But this is the death of a villain, of a murderer, of an assassin—a death painfully protracted, one which cannot be equalled in all inventions of human cruelty for suffering and ignominy.

Christ Himself endured this.

Remember, too, that in the Avior's case there were special aggravations of this shame.

He had to carry His own Cross; He was crucified, too, at the common place of execution, Calvary, The place of the dung.

He was put to death, too, at a time when Jerusalem was full of people.

It was at the feast of the passover, when the crowd had greatly increased, and when the representatives of all nations would be present to behold the spectacle.

Was ever shame like this?

E. His GLORIOUS MOTIVE. What was that which made Jesus speak like this?—“For the joy that was set before Him.”

F. I WILL TRY AND HOLD THE SAVIOR UP FOR OUR IMITATION.

Christian men! if Christ endured all this merely for the joy of saving you, will you be ashamed of bearing anything for Christ?

Are there any of you who feel that if you follow Christ you must lose by it—lose your station, or lose your reputation?

Will you be laughed at if you leave the world and follow Jesus?

Oh! and will you turn aside because of these little things, when He would not turn aside, though all the world mocked Him, till He could say, “It is finished.” (C. H. Surgeon.)

G.Despise the shame!

Learn the practical wisdom of minimizing the hindrances to your Christian career, pulling them down to their true smallness.

Do not let them come to you and impose upon you with the notion that they are big and formidable.

The most of them are only white sheets, and a rustic boor behind them, like a vulgar ghost.

You go up to them and they will be small immediately!

“Despise the shame! and it disappears.”

And how is that to be done?

In two ways.

a.Go up the mountain, and the things in the plain will look very small; the higher you rise the more insignificant they will seem.

Hold fellowship with God, and live up beside your Master, and the threatening foes here will seem very, very unformidable.

b. Another way is—pull up the curtain, and gaze on what is behind it.

The low foot-hills that lie at the base of some Alpine country may look high when seen from the plain, as long as the snowy summits are wrapped in mist, but when a little puff of wind comes and clears away the fog from the lofty peaks, nobody looks at the little green hills in front.

So the world’s hindrances, and the world’s difficulties and cares, they look very lofty till the cloud lifts.

And when we see the great white summits, everything lower does not seem so very high after all.

Look to Jesus, and that will dwarf the difficulties. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)

Is set down on the right hand

H. Jesus enthroned

I. Let us look at the fact here presented to us—or at

THE POSITION ASSIGNED TO JESUS CHRIST.

He is said to be seated “at the right hand of the throne of God.”

A place at the right hand of any person in authority and power is employed by the Sacred Writers to represent a position of high honour.

It may be that you have a tendency to look chiefly to the Cross of Christ.

You may be yourselves the children of sorrow, and often in affliction.

Your own cross may be exceedingly heavy; it may tremendously oppress you; and your temperament and your natural disposition combining with your circumstances may lead you to look chiefly at the Cross of Christ.

Believe that your Lord died and was buried; but do not keep your eyes fixed on the Cross and on the sepulchre, for He is not on that Cross anymore

He is not now in that sepulchre.

And you in your thoughts of Christ, and in your feelings about Christ, are not to be merely crucified with Him, and dead with Him, but you must be risen with Christ, your affections being fixed on Christ as above.

He dwells in the midst of the highest manifestations of Deity.

He is worshipped in heaven with God—as God.

His name is associated as no other name with that of Jehovah.He has Divine authority; and He has also Almighty power.

Although distinct from Jehovah, He is and He appears to be one with Jehovah—one as an object of reverence, of fear, and of love—one in His administration of universal government.

Thus is He seated “at the right hand of the throne of God.”

II. NOW SEE THE USE WHICH WE CHRISTIANS ARE TO MAKE OF THE KNOWLEDGE THAT JESUS IS IN THIS POSITION.

1. Here is a fountain of joy from which Christians may drink sacred pleasure.

Jesus is set down at the right hand of the throne of God—

then His work of atonement is finished;

then His sacrifice is accepted;

then His humiliation is terminated;

then His sorrows are for ever fled away.

We joy in this for His own sake.

The Cross of Christ was a real cross to Him.

When He is said to suffer, He did suffer.

His soul was really troubled, and His spirit was exceedingly sorrowful.

And now that He wears a crown, He feels to wear a Crown.

But we may joy in this also for the Church’s sake—for just as Jesus carried the Cross to bless the Church, so does He wear the crown to bless the Church.

And we may joy in the coronation of Jesus for the sake of our individual well-being.

We who trust our Saviour have a personal connection with His Cross; and we have a personal connection with His crown.

And further, we may joy in this fact for the world’s sake. He has ascended on high and received gifts for men, even for the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell among them.

2. But here, too, is a motive to patience, and much help in cherishing patience.

The course of the disciple is in some respects parallel with that of the Master.

Like Christ’s, it is a fixed and definite course.

And it is a course in which there are many hindrances to be laid aside and sorrows to be borne.

But it is a course to which there is an appointed goal, and a course in which the goal as a rule may be seen.

It is a course, further, which makes large demands upon patience.

Hence the injunction “ to run with patience the race which is set before us.”

But now, just see how the position of Jesus bears upon the cultivation of patience.

Jesus is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Once He was running His race on this earth: now He is “set down.”

Now He has no need of patience—He is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God.

And if you run, if you wait, if you be patient, you will one day sit down with Him on His throne, even as He is seated on His Father’s throne.

3. And there is just one other thought which we would suggest to you.

No forerunners helped Jesus—not one.

He had not a being to look to who had run in any respect a similar course, and reached His goal—not one.

There was the Father above Him, but the Father had not become man.

He had not been a man of sorrows.

There were angels ministering to Him, but no angels in the skies had attempted to do what Jesus had come to do. (S. Martin.)

IV] CONTROL- DILIGENTLY

OVERSIGHT

HIGHWAY FOR FAITH

Hebrews 12:15 KJV 1900

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

The word Looking Diligently:- means to

G1983

ἐπισκοπέω

episkopeō

ep-ee-skop-eh'-o

From G1909 and G4648; to oversee; by implication to beware: - look diligently, take the oversight.

Total KJV occurrences: 2

A> PUT ON GRACE

3 REASONS are given why the Christian should be Taking the Oversight of His pursuit and in this case the PURSUIT OF HOLINESS .

a. Failing the grace of God.

G5302

ὑστερέω

hustereō

hoos-ter-eh'-o

From G5306; to be later, that is, (by implication) to be inferior; genitively to fall short (be deficient): - come behind (short), be destitute, fall, lack, suffer need, (be in) want, be the worse.

Total KJV occurrences: 16

b. Root of Bitterness- trouble you.

G4088

πικρία

pikria

pik-ree'-ah

From G4089; acridity (especially poison), literally or figuratively: - bitterness.

Total KJV occurrences: 4

c. Being defiled

G3392

μιαίνω

miainō

me-ah'ee-no

Perhaps a primary verb; to sully or taint, that is, contaminate (ceremonially or morally): - defile.

Total KJV occurrences: 5

Lest any man fail of the grace of God

Are you a failure?

The wish to succeed is natural. It is seen in a little child, who will sometimes shed tears if he happen to lose the race which he runs with other children.

The desire not only to do well, but to excel is the prevailing aspiration with all sane men and women.

But the best men always feel as if they came short of the excellence they desire.

One of the most eminent and beloved bishops of the Church of England had a book which he intended no one to see but himself, but he omitted to destroy it before he died; and in this book he had written under his name this sentence, “A man who has failed to accomplish his ideal.”

Yet he was, indeed, a good man.

When John Knox was on his death-bed, his friends said of him in his presence, “How pleasing for him now to remember the great deeds he has done for the gospel of Christ!”

He replied, “I bid you hush. Do not by such remarks add to the reproaches of my conscience, which upbraids me for the many things I have left undone, and the numberless things I ought not to have done; God be merciful to me a sinner!”

When wise and good men do succeed, they feel that the result is scarcely due to their efforts, but to the working of the Spirit of God within them.

A true artist forgets himself, thinking only of his work, and when he receives praise feels that he is merely the hand used by the spirit of art.

In his finest strains the poet feels that it is not his own mind but the Divine muse, which possesses and inspires him to write glowing words.

The sculptor, when be has chiseled the most beautiful specimen of his plastic art, feels how greatly distant he is from achieving his ideal of perfection.

I have spoken thus to encourage those of you who I believe are truly great, and who feel that the work you do is imperfectly done.

All divinely directed men of true genius feel as you do.

Be cheered! Persevere in your work, and let not the consciousness of failure distress you too much; for that feeling is the evidence of genius—it is a blessed genius that can detect a flaw or an inferiority in your own work and stimulate you to continued effort.

Let me now address those who are satisfied with their efforts, or who fail in them through some wilful fault of their own.

“Looking diligently lest any man fail, or come short, of the grace of God.”

1. It may be that some of us fail through our want of continued effort.

In nay garden there is a cherry tree.

It bore no fruit the first year, but we took great pains with it, and the second year it brought forth one splendid cherry, and that was all. It made its effort and succeeded.

Likewise, every tree, every flower, and even the common grass by the wayside makes strenuous efforts to put forth beauty and fruit after its kind.

But unfortunately some of us men are not like trees and flowers; we do not make continued efforts.

2. Another reason your life is a failure is because you do not depend upon God, and you live more for yourself than for your fellow-men.

What do I mean by “depending upon God”?

Well, this. See that ship. The captain has put up the sails, and has done all he can.

The ship is trimmed, the sails are set, and the captain waits upon the wind; he feels he is dependent Upon it.

In the same way we should be dependent upon God. We should wait for Him.

We should do what we can to make ourselves ready for His coming, and then wait for Him to do the rest, and be willing to be guided by Him.

There is too much self with many of us, that is why, comparatively speaking, our lives are failures.

3. The reason why others of us fail is because we take not advantage of God’s grace.

4. Another reason for your failure may be that you delay doing your present duty.

You do not do the thing that lies nearest you, but wait to do something great in the future.

This habit of procrastination not only robs you of present good but of future blessing.

In the same way, you are waiting for some great work to do instead of doing the thing at your right hand.

Doing little things well is the best preparation for the achievement of great things. (W. Birch.)

Falling short of the grace of God:

To prevent this danger they must look diligently. To this end

1. Every man must have a care of himself, and look to his own soul.

2. They must watch one over another, and if they see any inclining to apostasy, or beginning to doubt of, or decline his profession, they must, by good example, instruction, admonition, reproof, and exhortation, seek to reform him.

3. The minister of the gospel being trusted with man’s soul, must be very watchful above all other; must exhort, reprove, and by his wholesome doctrine, inform the ignorant, strengthen the weak, reform the erroneous, encourage the faint, and suffer no such bitter root to spring up amongst his people.

4. They that have the power of discipline, upon information, must by admonition and lighter censures first seek to reclaim a sinning brother; and if so, they cannot rectify him, they must cast him out, lest others be infected. (G. Lawson.)

Grow in Grace and Power for Daily Life

Ask most Bible students what God’s grace is and they’ll answer, “undeserved favor.”

Indeed, the Bible teaches that despite our sinfulness (rejecting God’s love and rule and failing to love people as God loves us), because of Christ’s death we are forgiven and have a credit of righteousness on our account before God.

We are now “justified” before God and guaranteed entrance into heaven when we die.

But what about for my life today?

Am I just to struggle through this painful world and hope for the better world of heaven when I die?

Am I to be content with being forgiven of my sins, but never learn how to overcome sin?

Study grace in the New Testament and you’ll see that it is larger than unmerited favor or forgiveness of sins, though it certainly includes that.

What is “Grace”?

“Grace is God acting in our life,” Dallas Willard says.

(See his book The Great Omission.) God’s grace to us is his power for living an effective and glorious life today!

It is God acting generously and powerfully, to do for us what we cannot do ourselves.

Practically speaking, grace is an energy source that can help us get out of bed in the morning, speak a kind word to a stranger, persevere in a difficult situation, face a fear, or offer compassion to someone who has criticized us.

Grace is ministered to us by the Holy Spirit, but it doesn’t just fall out of the sky upon us!

We have to open ourselves to God’s grace; we have to interact with it through training our body and soul to receive it, respond to, and work with it.

Of course, training and working to make use of God’s grace does not mean that we could earn it! 

Earning has to do with an attitude of pride and self-sufficiency.

Grace is opposed to earning, but it is not opposed to effort.

Effort has to do with action.

God gives us the responsibility and choice to take hold of his hand of grace — or not.

New Testament Teachings on Grace Here are a few examples of Scriptures that show the connection between grace and power to help us see that grace is not just a credit on our spiritual account, but it’s energy from God that helps us to act in love, wisdom, and power.

Grace Empowers us to Serve God and Share the Gospel (Ephesians 3:7)

Ephesians 3:7 KJV 1900

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Grace Empowers Good Works (2 Corinthians 9:8).

2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV 1900

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

God Graciously Gives us Service Gifts and Graciously Empowers Us to Use Them(Romans 12:6).

Romans 12:6 KJV 1900

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Grace Empowers Witness (Acts 4:33).

Acts 4:33 KJV 1900

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Grace Empowers us to Say “No” to Sin (Titus 2:11-13)

Titus 2:11–13 KJV 1900

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

The Abundance of God’s Grace Strengthened Paul (1 Timothy 1:12-14).

1 Timothy 1:12–14 KJV 1900

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Grace Set Paul on Fire for God! By God’s Grace he Worked Hard (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).

1 Corinthians 15:9–10 KJV 1900

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh: By Grace he Overcame his Weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 KJV 1900

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Peter’s Encouragement to those Suffering: God’s Grace Will Strengthen You (1 Peter 5:10).

1 Peter 5:10 KJV 1900

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

We’re to Grow in Grace!(2 Peter 3:18).

2 Peter 3:18 KJV 1900

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Be Strong in Grace! (2 Timothy 2:1).

2 Timothy 2:1 KJV 1900

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

We Need to “Work Out” the Salvation (Grace) that God “Works In” Us (Philippians 2:12-13).

Philippians 2:12–13 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

A Prayer to Receive God’s Glorious Riches (Grace) and Power(Ephesians 3:14-21)

Ephesians 3:14–21 KJV 1900

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Anxiety for souls:

Fleming mentions one John Welsh, often, in the coldest winter nights, found weeping on the ground, and wrestling with the Lord, on account of his people, and saying to his wife when she pressed him for an explanation of his distress,” I have the souls of three thousand to answer for, while I know not how it is with many of them.”

Piloting stalls

As the pilot-boats cruise far out, watching for every whitening sail, and hover, through day and night, all about the harbour, vigilant to board every ship, that they may bring safely through the narrows all the wanderers of the ocean; so should we watch off the gate of salvation for all the souls, tempest-tossed, beating in from the sea of sin, and guide them through the perilous straits, that at last in still waters they may east the anchor of their hope. (H. W. Beecher.)

Grace should permeate the entire man:

In the camphor-tree every part is impregnated with the precious perfume; from the highest twig to the lowest root the powerful gum will exude.

Thus grace should permeate our whole nature, and be seen in every faculty, every word, every act, and even every desire.

If it be “in us and abound,” it will be so. An unsanctified part of our frame must surely be like a dead branch, deforming and injuring the tree.

B> PUT OFF THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

Root of bitterness springing up

Roots of bitterness:

Sin, whether in men or among them—whether viewed as inherent in the individual, or spread through the community—sin may well be compared to a root.

This analogy does much to point out the nature, and the origin, and the consequences, and the cure of that one evil which offends God and afflicts men.

I. The analogy of a root serves to illustrate the NATURE of the evil.

An accurate knowledge of the danger goes far to constitute a defence.

The figure directs our thoughts at once to the heart as the seat of the affections.

“Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,” and words, and actions.

Our care must not be exclusively directed to the deeds—the fruit above ground—we must seek to reach that hidden root which grows in the soul unseen, generating actual transgression in the life of men.

There are many points in which the analogy holds good between a root and the sinful disposition of soul which gives birth to unrighteous action.

1. The root is below ground—unseen.

The surface of the field, when you pass by, may be naked, and clean, and smooth—not a green blade to be seen, far less an opening flower, or ripening fruit; yet there may be in that field a multitude of thriving, vigorous roots, that will soon cover and possess its surface with thorns and thistles.

So in a church, or a family, or a single member of it, though for the time all that meets the eye be fair, there may be in the soul within a germ of evil already swelling, and ready to burst out into open wickedness.

2. The root not only is, but grows. It has a vital self-increasing principle.

Unless you kill it, you cannot keep it down.

So with the sinful disposition in the heart. It is not the existence of the thing merely that we have to dread, but its vitality.

The Scripture (Eph 2:2-3) speaks of men being dead in sins, and yet walking according to the course of this world.

Ephesians 2:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

In like manner, though the guilty state of the soul be called death, yet it is a death that lives and grows.

It not only bears fruit upward, but strikes root downward; and the more vigorously it shoots its vibres down into the soil, the heavier a harvest of wickedness it bears.

3. Though you may be able to destroy the fruit, and cut down the branches, the root may be beyond your reach.

Though the branches be lopped off, and the stem cut down close by the ground, yet the root left in the soil will keep its hold, and send up another stem, and spread out other branches.

So with this sin.

Much may be done to check its outward exhibition.

Many agencies may be brought to bear upon it, which will not only prevent the ripening of the fruit, but will blight the opening blossom, and maim the spreading branches.

Many schemes may be tried, and tried successfully, to stop the committing of sins, while the disposition to sin lives as vigorous, and grows as rank as ever in the soul.

II. In the text the root is significantly called A root OF BITTERNESS.

The analogy of a root suggests the existence, and the life, and the growth, and the power of a principle, without determining whether it be good or bad; but the distinguishing characteristic of the root spoken of is “bitterness.”

Everything depends on the nature of the root that is bedded in the soil.

There is a plant called the nightshade, which is in some respects like a vine.

Like the vine, its branches are slender, and unless supported, they trail upon the ground.

Its bunches of fruit, too, are very similar, both in form and colour, to clusters of grapes.

Its fruit is a poison.

From its nature, it gets the name of the deadly nightshade.

Now, this plant may grow beside a vine—may cling to the branches of a vine, and intermingle its clusters of fruit, so that you could scarcely distinguish

the one from the other.

Nay, more; in such a case the roots of the two plants will shoot down into the same soil—they will intertwine with each other in the earth—they will drink up the same sap at the same place.

It would require a very close examination to distinguish the fibers that belong to each; yet this root converts the sap into delicious food—that into deadly poison.

The result does not depend on air and sun, and moisture and earth—these were all the same in this case.

The fruit takes its character from the root.

If it be a root of bitterness, it turns everything into poison.

Such is the distinguishing characteristic of a sinful affection.

Our living souls are the seat of many thoughts and emotions they constitute the soil which nourishes many roots.

Some roots grow there bearing sweet fruit to the glory of God and the good of men; but they are “the planting of the Lord.”

It is the root of bitterness that springs first, and spreads farthest.

There are the shattered remnants of much good in the human soul.

There are in it many materials which may be turned to good account, when a new heart has been given—a new spirit created.

But in all at first, and in many still, a strong one has possession.

A bitter root occupies and sucks the soil, wasting its strength in bringing forth death.

Pride, envy, worldliness, ungodliness—these, and other roots, pervade the ground, and drain off all its fatness.

The natural powers and emotions of the soul—the sap which these roots feed upon—would nourish trees of righteousness, if they were but planted there.

There are many precious qualities of mind, efficient for good or for evil, just as they are employed.

You have known a man possessed of many good qualities—such qualities as attract and bind to their possessor a wide circle of friends.

He is, in the common sense of the term, a good-hearted man.

He is generous, and kind, and honest.

He will not maliciously resent an injury—he gives liberally of his goods to feed the poor—he renders to every man his due; but he is a drunkard.

A bitter root has fastened in that generous soil, and drinks up all its riches.

Oh! it is sad to see that strong one keeping possession of a wealthy place.

It is sad to see so promising a field exhausted in bearing the filthiest fruit.

Avarice is another root of equal bitterness.

There is no more pitiable creature on earth than a man whose heart’s warm affections have been sucked out by the lust of gold.

The power of understanding and judging, of liking and disliking, of hoping and fearing—all these, as natural capabilities of the human soul, are wielded by the presiding will either on the side of righteousness or the side of sin.

The same learning and ardour which Saul of Tarsus employed to waste the Church, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, plied as the instruments of extending and establishing it.

Paul had met the Lord in the way, and received into his heart the seed of a new life.

This is the one needful thing.

These understandings and memories, and all these natural powers that are now wasted on sin, the same instruments will do for serving God, when the quickening Spirit has implanted the new life within Deut 29:14-18).

Deuteronomy 29:14–18 KJV 1900

14 Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; 15 But with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day: 16 (For ye know how we have dwelt in the land of Egypt; and how we came through the nations which ye passed by; 17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:) 18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;

The root that beareth gall and wormwood is a heart that turneth away from God; and to that spring of evil must the cure be applied.

Although it be “ a root out of a dry ground,” all will be well, if it be not a “root of bitterness.”

If the root be holy, so also will the branches be. (W. Arnot.)

How bitterness grows

A young girl had but few social opportunities.

She fell into habits of excessive self-inspection, and a morbid sensitiveness to criticism.

With good gifts, and refined tastes, and careful culture, she began to grow conscious of a kind of superiority to most of those about her.

But the absence of lively sympathies fostered reserve and taciturnity, so that few found out or appreciated her real attainments.

While her own standard of character was rising, others ceased to care what so indifferent and haughty a spirit might know or be.

Presently a sense of injustice began to spring up in her.

Each new acquirement only seemed to separate her more and more from her neighbours.

Even her equals failed to appreciate the hidden merit.

Gradually, as years went on, a silent resentment was kindled.

Temper was a little soured; speech grew sarcastic; judgment grew bitter.

She revenged herself for neglect by withdrawing further and further from the world.

Those of her own sex were alienated, and as to those of the other, they were a little frightened.

Very few men value criticism enough to marry it.

And so, every way, society loses in the person of this fine capable young woman an ornament and a strength. (T. D.Huntingdon.)

The Root of Bitterness, Heb 12:15

The Root of Bitterness

Bitterness has many sources – “any” – see how bitterness affected the following:

1 Sam 1:10 – Hannah – the bitterness of barrenness

1 Samuel 1:10 KJV 1900

10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

1 Sam 15:32 – Samuel and the Lord – the bitterness of death [avenging an enemy’s slaughter] – see also

1 Samuel 15:32 KJV 1900

32 Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

2 Sam 2:26 Job 7:11 – Job – the bitterness of lost wealth, health and family

2 Samuel 2:26 KJV 1900

26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?

Job 7:11 KJV 1900

11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Job 9:18 – Job – the bitterness of anger toward God

Job 9:18 KJV 1900

18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness.

Prov 17:25 – a Mother – the bitterness of rearing a foolish son

Proverbs 17:25 KJV 1900

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.

Is 38:15-17 – Hezekiah – the bitterness of a life cut short

Isaiah 38:15–17 KJV 1900

15 What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul. 16 O Lord, by these things men live, And in all these things is the life of my spirit: So wilt thou recover me, and make me to live. 17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: But thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: For thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

Ezek 3:14 – Ezekiel – the bitterness of his country’s apostasy

Ezekiel 3:14 KJV 1900

14 So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.

Acts 8:23 – Simon the sorcerer – the bitterness of lost power As you can see there are many sources of bitterness. 

Acts 8:23 KJV 1900

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

We understand what made them bitter.  But the question is, “What has made you bitter?” 

Was it something in your childhood, adolescence, adult years long ago, or your adult years recently?

Bitterness is often denied – “root” – because it is a root it is hard to see.  Of course, the Lord sees it. 

And you know what it is if you are willing to admit it.

  Prov 14:10 says, “the heart KNOWETH his own bitterness.”  The problem is that the heart is deceitful. 

Proverbs 14:10 KJV 1900

10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; And a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.

In truth, you don’t want to let go of your bitterness.

 Two monks carried an elderly woman across a river and five miles down the road one monk was still complaining about it. 

The other monk said that the reason he wasn’t complaining is that he put the woman down five miles back while the other monk was still carrying her.

  Let go!!

Yet Bitterness springs up – “springing up” – in other words, because it is a root, it is going to bear fruit.

  At first you probably won’t see the connection between the root of bitterness and the fruit that springs up. 

In Job 10:1 complaining was the fruit, bitterness was the root;

Job 10:1 KJV 1900

1 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

in Rom 3:14 cursing is the fruit, bitterness is the root,

Romans 3:14 KJV 1900

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

in Ezek 27:31 crying and weeping are the fruit, bitterness is the root.

Ezekiel 27:31 KJV 1900

31 And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing.

  Many people who are sick, angry, lying, foul mouthed, and fighting are just bitter.

Your bitterness troubles YOU – “trouble you” – you hold on to the bitterness because you are mad at someone or something and you want them to “pay.” 

The trouble is that your bitterness is taking a toll on you.

  You are the one paying the price. 

Bitterness has been described this way, “You drink the poison and hope the other person dies.”

What has your bitterness accomplished?  Nothing, it never does.

And your trouble defiles many – “many be defiled” – because you are bitter, other people are affected by your bitterness. 

They get defiled by your lies, anger, and cursing and by the work of the devil in your life. 

Your bitterness is directed at someone else, so you turn it on others.

  There is a secret comfort in your life by seeing others hurt; their hurt in some way validates your bitterness.

Therefore, bitterness must be put away from you –

Eph 4:31-32 – and when you put it away, you must also put away the things that are connected with it, “wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking… with all malice.” 

Ephesians 4:31–32 KJV 1900

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

When you have problems with these things listed in Eph 4:31 they are a good indication that you are bitter. 

Ephesians 4:31 KJV 1900

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

As you get rid of these things replace them with Eph 4:31. 

Ephesians 4:31 KJV 1900

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

One of the best ways to get rid of bitterness is to forgive the person with whom you are bitter.

C>PERSEVERANCE - LEST BE DEFILED

Christian perseverance

POINTERS TO PERSEVERANCE UNDER PRESSURE

So far we have learned:

Jesus Christ is the ultimate - he is God.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate - he is perfect, sinless man.

The salvation obtained for us by Jesus Christ is the ultimate - a once-for-all sacrifice for sin with 100% eternal effectiveness.

Faith does not depend on present physical realities but on eternal spiritual realities.True faith is faith that endures.

Suffering is not to be seen as God punishing us for sin, but as God correcting us as a loving Father.

Having taught us all of this the writer again says 'therefore ... ' and proceeds to give us a number of coping principles to help us to persevere under pressure:

A. 'STRENGTHEN YOUR FEEBLE ARMS AND WEAK KNEES ... ' (Heb 12:12).

Hebrews 12:12 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

Knowing that our suffering and hardships are not God punishing us, but rather his loving correction, we are here exhorted to 'strengthen' ourselves.

Feeble arms can't carry anything, weak knees can't stand or walk.

These are physical images meant to teach spiritual truths.

We need to ask ourselves 'What is it that will strengthen me spiritually?

What will enable me to keep on walking with the Lord?'

For your study:

You will find the answer in the following verses: Psalm 18:1,32-36; 22:19; 28:7; 29:11; 37:23-24; 40:2; 46:1; 55:22; 56:13; 59:9,17; 63:8; 66:9; 81:1; 95:1; 116:8,9; 118:14; 121:2-3.

Psalm 18:1 KJV 1900

1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.

Psalm 18:32–36 KJV 1900

32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect. 33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, And setteth me upon my high places. 34 He teacheth my hands to war, So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: And thy right hand hath holden me up, And thy gentleness hath made me great. 36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, That my feet did not slip.

Psalm 22:19 KJV 1900

19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Psalm 28:7 KJV 1900

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; And with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 29:11 KJV 1900

11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Psalm 37:23–24 KJV 1900

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: And he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: For the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

Psalm 40:2 KJV 1900

2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Psalm 46:1 KJV 1900

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Psalm 55:22 KJV 1900

22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 56:13 KJV 1900

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Psalm 59:9 KJV 1900

9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: For God is my defence.

Psalm 59:17 KJV 1900

17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: For God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Psalm 63:8 KJV 1900

8 My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.

Psalm 66:9 KJV 1900

9 Which holdeth our soul in life, And suffereth not our feet to be moved.

Psalm 81:1 KJV 1900

1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

Psalm 95:1 KJV 1900

1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Psalm 116:8 KJV 1900

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, Mine eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.

Psalm 116:9 KJV 1900

9 I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living.

Psalm 118:14 KJV 1900

14 The Lord is my strength and song, And is become my salvation.

Psalm 121:2–3 KJV 1900

2 My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

The source of strength is not in ourselves: it is God himself.

We do not survive pressure by focusing on surviving, we do not survive pressure by focusing on our own perceived strength.

We survive pressure by keeping focused on God, (as Heb 12:2 has told us - keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus); there and there alone will we find strength.

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

B. 'MAKE LEVEL PATHS FOR YOUR FEET ... ' (Heb 12:13). This is a quote from Proverbs, part of a larger passage:

Hebrews 12:13 KJV 1900

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

'Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil' (Proverbs 4:25-27).

Proverbs 4:25–27 KJV 1900

25 Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil.

Again we are reminded of that 'keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus'.

As our writer has emphasized, the message of Christ and his cross is the ultimate way.

Beside it no other way is valid.

As Jesus himself said: 'I am the way ... No one comes to the Father except through me' (John 14:6).

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Here we are commanded not to deviate from that one way.

The moment we consider other ways, the moment we doubt the claims of Christ to be the one true God, the moment we waver in our confidence in his death as our substitute, and begin to consider other or additional means of salvation, at that moment we begin to walk on a rough track which can only cause us to stumble and to experience a weakening and disabling of our faith, and in that position we will be extremely vulnerable to the onslaughts of the enemy.

For your study: Study these verses to understand the utter importance of commitment to the pure message of Christ and his perfect salvation: Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 119:105; Matthew 7:13-27; Luke 13:24; John 3:16-21; 8:12, 42-47; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 11:3-4,13-15; Galatians 1:6-9; 5:2-5; Colossians 2:2-4, 8,16-19; 1 Timothy 4:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 John 3:7; 4:1-3,15; 5:1,5,12,13.

Psalm 1:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Matthew 7:13–27 KJV 1900

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Luke 13:24 KJV 1900

24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

John 3:16–21 KJV 1900

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 8:12 KJV 1900

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:42–47 KJV 1900

42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12 KJV 1900

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Romans 10:9–13 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2 Corinthians 6:1 KJV 1900

1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 Corinthians 11:3–4 KJV 1900

3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 KJV 1900

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Galatians 1:6–9 KJV 1900

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 5:2–5 KJV 1900

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Colossians 2:2–4 KJV 1900

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Colossians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:16–19 KJV 1900

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

1 Timothy 4:1–7 KJV 1900

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

2 Timothy 4:1–5 KJV 1900

1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

1 John 3:7 KJV 1900

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 John 4:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

1 John 4:15 KJV 1900

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

1 John 5:1 KJV 1900

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

1 John 5:5 KJV 1900

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:12 KJV 1900

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

1 John 5:13 KJV 1900

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

C. 'MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH ALL MEN ... ' (Heb 12:14)

Hebrews 12:14 KJV 1900

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

The Hebrew Christians were experiencing suffering at the hands of both the Romans and the Jews.

In such a context the normal human reaction is retaliation and/or withdrawal and avoidance.

Here, however, we are commanded to be proactive in our relationships with all men, which includes those who are against us.

'Make every effort' translates diokete which speaks of a present continuous eager pursuit of something.

It is the word sometimes translated 'persecute' (for example: Matthew 5:10-12; John 5:16; Acts 9:4-8, where the meaning is to actively track down).

Matthew 5:10–12 KJV 1900

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

John 5:16 KJV 1900

16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

Acts 9:4–8 KJV 1900

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

This verse is not telling us simply to passively keep out of trouble, but rather to actively do all that we can to establish and maintain peace with all men.

This is a very practical command aimed at minimizing the persecution and trouble that comes to us because we are believers, and maximizing good will towards Christ and his church.

It prohibits a martyr complex; it prohibits actions that will provoke opposition; it prohibits disobedience to the civil authorities; it prohibits making a nuisance of ourselves by our Christian activities.

In other words we are being told: don't go looking for trouble; don't do things that are going to make people get annoyed with you.

In addition to all of that we are to deliberately set ourselves on a course that will promote peace with all men: we are to relate to them in such a way that they will be our friends, not our enemies; to build positive relationships with relatives, neighbours, civil authorities, communities, organizations, and so on, so that they will be positive in their attitude to us.

For your study: Study the following to get an overall picture of what it means to 'live in peace with all men': Matthew 5:9; 17:24-27; Mark 9:50; 12:13-17; Romans 12:14-21; 13:1-10; 1 Corinthians 7:15-16; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:11-18; 4:3-6; Philippians 2:1-4; 4:2-3; Colossians 3:15; 3:18-4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:13-15; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 2 Timothy 2:22-26; James 3:13-4:12: 1 Peter 2:13-17.

Matthew 5:9 KJV 1900

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 17:24–27 KJV 1900

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Mark 9:50 KJV 1900

50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Mark 12:13–17 KJV 1900

13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. 14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

Romans 12:14–21 KJV 1900

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 13:1–10 KJV 1900

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

1 Corinthians 7:15–16 KJV 1900

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

Galatians 5:22 KJV 1900

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Ephesians 2:11–18 KJV 1900

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Ephesians 4:3–6 KJV 1900

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Philippians 2:1–4 KJV 1900

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Philippians 4:2–3 KJV 1900

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Colossians 3:15 KJV 1900

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Colossians 3:18–4:1 KJV 1900

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 KJV 1900

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

1 Thessalonians 5:13–15 KJV 1900

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

1 Timothy 2:1–4 KJV 1900

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 2:22–26 KJV 1900

22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

James 3:13–4:12 KJV 1900

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. 1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

1 Peter 2:13–17 KJV 1900

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

In Romans 12:18 Paul instructs us 'If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.'

Romans 12:18 KJV 1900

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

This puts two restrictions on this command to make every effort to live in peace with all men.

The first is that sometimes it is not possible to do this, and still maintain our Christian distinctiveness, as we will see in the next point.

The second is that sometimes the issue doesn't depend on us.

We can have tried our hardest to live at peace with a person, or group, or community, but they will not live at peace with us; in this case the absence of peace is not from our side, but from theirs.

D. 'MAKE EVERY EFFORT ... TO BE HOLY ... ' (Heb 12:14) 'Make every effort' refers not just to living in peace with all men but also to being holy.

So we are commanded to just as actively and persistently pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

What is this holiness that we must be committed to tracking down?

What is this holiness without which we will not see the Lord?

[1] At the bottom line holiness is uniqueness. Its primary meaning is 'set-apartness'.

God is holy: he is utterly unique, one of a kind.

There is no one and nothing else like him.

This uniqueness includes, but is not limited to, his utter moral purity. Study: Isaiah 6:1-5; 40:18,25; 44:6-8; 45:18,22; 46:9.

Isaiah 6:1–5 KJV 1900

1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah 40:18 KJV 1900

18 To whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

Isaiah 40:25 KJV 1900

25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

Isaiah 44:6–8 KJV 1900

6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, And his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; And beside me there is no God. 7 And who, as I, shall call, And shall declare it, and set it in order for me, Since I appointed the ancient people? And the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: Have not I told thee from that time, And have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.

Isaiah 45:18 KJV 1900

18 For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, He created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:22 KJV 1900

22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 46:9 KJV 1900

9 Remember the former things of old: For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

[2] The tabernacle and the temple, and all their equipment, as well as the priests who served there, were regarded as holy or sanctified, because they were set apart by God and for God.

Study: Exodus 40:9-13.

Exodus 40:9–13 KJV 1900

9 And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. 10 And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. 11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it. 12 And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. 13 And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

[3] Christians are described as 'holy' or 'saints' or 'sanctified' (all the same word in the Greek) because they have been set apart by God for God as his special possession.

Study: These are some of the many verses in which Christians are called saints or holy or sanctified: Acts 9:32; 26:10; Romans 8:27; 12:13; 1 Corinthians 3:16,17; Ephesians 1:1,4; Colossians 1:12,22; 3:12; 1 Peter 2:5,9. Study also the following, where the verb 'to make holy' or 'to sanctify' is used in reference to God's setting people apart for himself: John 17:17-19; Acts 20:32; 26:18; Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:11; Hebrews 2:11; 10:10.

Acts 9:32 KJV 1900

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

Acts 26:10 KJV 1900

10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

Romans 8:27 KJV 1900

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 12:13 KJV 1900

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV 1900

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 3:17 KJV 1900

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Ephesians 1:1 KJV 1900

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:4 KJV 1900

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Colossians 1:12 KJV 1900

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Colossians 1:22 KJV 1900

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Colossians 3:12 KJV 1900

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

1 Peter 2:5 KJV 1900

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 1900

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

John 17:17–19 KJV 1900

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Acts 20:32 KJV 1900

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Acts 26:18 KJV 1900

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Romans 15:16 KJV 1900

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV 1900

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV 1900

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Hebrews 2:11 KJV 1900

11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Hebrews 10:10 KJV 1900

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

[4] Because we have been set apart by God as his special, unique possession, because we are 'holy' by virtue of belonging to him and sanctified by the blood of Jesus, we are commanded repeatedly in the Scriptures to be holy.

In other words, the holiness which is ours by virtue of our belonging to God is to be expressed in our lives.

We are live lives which demonstrate and reflect the holiness - the uniqueness, the distinctiveness - of our God.

This will include, but is not limited to, the pursuit of moral purity.

It is here that the command in Hebrews 12:14 kicks in: here we are commanded to actively pursue, to actively strive for this experiential, practical holiness.

Hebrews 12:14 KJV 1900

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

What our writer is telling us is: in our actively making every effort to live in peace with all men we are not to jeopardize or compromise our distinctiveness and uniqueness as the children of a holy God.

This pursuit of holiness is the practical, observable expression of our commitment to our God.

This pursuit of holiness indicates that God is the focus and centre of our lives, not ourselves, and it is this God-centred mindset which will enable us to persevere under pressure.

Study these verses: Matthew 5:13-16, 43-48; Luke 1:68-75; Romans 6:19; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:23-24; 5:1-2, 8-10; Philippians 2:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:3-8; 1 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:13-15; 2:9-12; 2 Peter 3:11-12.

Matthew 5:13–16 KJV 1900

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:43–48 KJV 1900

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Luke 1:68–75 KJV 1900

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; For he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, Which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, And from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, And to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, All the days of our life.

Romans 6:19 KJV 1900

19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Romans 12:1–2 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV 1900

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV 1900

1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Ephesians 4:23–24 KJV 1900

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 5:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:8–10 KJV 1900

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Philippians 2:14–15 KJV 1900

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

1 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV 1900

13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 4:3–8 KJV 1900

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

1 Timothy 1:9 KJV 1900

9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

1 Peter 1:13–15 KJV 1900

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

1 Peter 2:9–12 KJV 1900

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

2 Peter 3:11–12 KJV 1900

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

E. 'SEE TO IT THAT NO ONE MISSES THE GRACE OF GOD ... ' (Heb 12:15)

Hebrews 12:15 KJV 1900

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

As we have been reminded right through this letter to the Hebrews, Jesus Christ and his salvation is something worth holding on to.

True faith knows this.

The 'faith' that lets go of this has never believed it in the first place. No one, knowing that they held a genuine $100 note in their hand would discard it and take up a counterfeit note.

No one, really believing that Jesus Christ is the one, eternal God and the salvation that he gives is complete and eternally guaranteed, discards this God and this salvation, for anything else, because everything else is of necessity a counterfeit god and a counterfeit salvation.

Against such a foolish move the New Testament constantly warns us, for such a move would immediately invalidate our profession of faith and identify us as those who have not really believed, and that we have indeed missed out on the grace of God.

Study: Matthew 7:21-27; 13:24-30; Luke 8:5-15; John 2:23-24; 6:60-70; 8:30-32; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Galatians 3:3:1-6; 5:1-12; Philippians 3:1-3; Colossians 2:4,8,16,18,20.

Matthew 7:21–27 KJV 1900

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 13:24–30 KJV 1900

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Luke 8:5–15 KJV 1900

5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

John 2:23–24 KJV 1900

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

John 6:60–70 KJV 1900

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

John 8:30–32 KJV 1900

30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2 Corinthians 6:1 KJV 1900

1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

Philippians 3:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Colossians 2:4 KJV 1900

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Colossians 2:8 KJV 1900

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:16 KJV 1900

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Colossians 2:18 KJV 1900

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Colossians 2:20 KJV 1900

20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

In addition, review the study on Warnings and Exhortations in Hebrews.

For extended study: Read through John's Gospel and his first letter, taking note of every reference to believing. You will find that the vast majority of promises made to those who believe refer to believing in the present tense.

Yesterday's claim to believe is only valid if I believe today.

Effective faith is always present faith; if it only existed yesterday it was never true faith.

F. 'SEE TO IT ... THAT NO BITTER ROOT GROWS UP TO CAUSE TROUBLE AND DEFILE MANY' (Heb 12:15)

Hebrews 12:15 KJV 1900

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

A faithless, godless reaction to hardship and suffering is that of bitterness towards both God and man.

We were warned against this in chapter 3 when we were reminded of the Israelites' hardness and rebellion.

This final rebellion was the culmination of a consistently bitter and complaining attitude towards God and his appointed leader, Moses.

Study: Exodus 5:20-21; 14:10-12; 15:23-24; 16:2-3, 7-11; 17:1-7; 32:1; Numbers 11:1, 4-15.

Exodus 5:20–21 KJV 1900

20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: 21 And they said unto them, The Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

Exodus 14:10–12 KJV 1900

10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

Exodus 15:23–24 KJV 1900

23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

Exodus 16:2–3 KJV 1900

2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Exodus 16:7–11 KJV 1900

7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord; for that he heareth your murmurings against the Lord: and what are we, that ye murmur against us? 8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord. 9 And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the Lord: for he hath heard your murmurings. 10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 17:1–7 KJV 1900

1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? 3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? 4 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. 5 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?

Exodus 32:1 KJV 1900

1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

Numbers 11:1 KJV 1900

1 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.

Numbers 11:4–15 KJV 1900

4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? 5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: 6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. 7 And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. 8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. 9 And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it. 10 Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. 11 And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? 12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? 13 Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. 14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

We could here go right back to the original temptation in Genesis 3, where Satan insinuated that the command not to eat the fruit was an expression of God's meanness, of his withholding something desirable and beneficial from Adam and Eve, a suggestion that caused Eve to doubt the goodness of God, to doubt the necessity and integrity of his command, and led to her disobedience.

Genesis 3 KJV 1900

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

With similar doubts Satan also tries to infect believers when they are suffering hardship, with the purpose of making them bitter towards God, and so to deflect them from faithfulness to him.

G. 'SEE THAT NO ONE IS ... LIKE ESAU ... ' (Heb 12:16-27)

Hebrews 12:16–27 KJV 1900

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

The writer tells us to see to it that we are not like Esau.

He describes him as 'sexually immoral' and 'godless', describing his foolish exchanging of his birthright for a bowl of stew.

The meaning here is far more than a warning against sexual immorality.

The word is pornos, which is variously translated as fornicator, adulterer, whoremonger; it refers to the sexually impure and unfaithful.

Why is this word used here of Esau when we are nowhere told in the Bible that he was sexually immoral?

When we realise that verse 15 has been urging us to remain faithful to God, we can readily see that this verse is not speaking of physical, sexual immorality (which is dealt with in Heb 13:4) but of spiritual adultery, of the same nature as that which the prophets repeatedly accused the Israelites.

Hebrews 13:4 KJV 1900

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Esau despised his birthright, and in doing so he despised the blessings and promise of God which were inextricably linked with the birth right.

He held them in disrespect.

So he is here described in Hebrews as pornos and bebelos - an adulterer/fornicator, and profane/unholy/secular (without God).

Esau counted a momentary, physical pot of stew of more value and importance than the eternal, spiritual blessings and promises of God.

We are told: don't be like that! Don't count temporal, earthly comfort of more value than the spiritual, eternal realities.

To once again make us realize how drastic a thing it is to contemplate giving in to pressure and letting go of Christ to return to useless and redundant ritual symbols the writer again teaches us of the great difference between those physical symbols of the Old Covenant and the spiritual realities of the new:

The Old Covenant was inaugurated at Mt Sinai - a mountain that could not be approached because of ritual uncleanness/sin (Heb 12:18,20 ), a mountain surrounded by 'darkness, gloom and storm' (Heb 12:19 ), a place of fear and the threat of death (Heb 13: 20,21).

Hebrews 12:18 KJV 1900

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

Hebrews 13:20 KJV 1900

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Hebrews 12:19 KJV 1900

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

Hebrews 13:20 KJV 1900

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Hebrews 13:21 KJV 1900

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The New Covenant was inaugurated in the real heavenly dwelling place of God (Heb 12: 22), a place of joy (Heb 12: 22),

where we come into the presence of God himself (Heb 12: 23), where we are members of the 'church of the firstborn' and our names are recorded (Heb 12: 23); through Jesus our Mediator we come into the presence of the Judge of all men (Heb 12: 23,24),

joining with all true believers who are now made perfect through the sprinkled blood of Jesus (Heb 12: 23,24).

Hebrews 12:22 KJV 1900

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Hebrews 12:22 KJV 1900

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Hebrews 12:23 KJV 1900

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Hebrews 12:23 KJV 1900

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Hebrews 12:23 KJV 1900

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Hebrews 13:24 KJV 1900

24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

Hebrews 12:23 KJV 1900

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Hebrews 13:24 KJV 1900

24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

Esau, having cast aside his birthright, could not get it back, no matter how much he desired it (Heb 12: 17).

Hebrews 12:17 KJV 1900

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

See to it, the writer says, that none of you it like that. Don't be spiritually adulterous and secular like him. Don't give up the real spiritual blessings of God that you have in Christ for the sake of easing physical hardship. Don't revert to the shadows and fear of the old ritual relationship with God just to make your life a litter easier.

H. SEE TO IT THAT YOU DO NOT REFUSE HIM WHO SPEAKS (Heb 12: 25-27)

Hebrews 12:25–27 KJV 1900

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Here again we are alerted to the extreme contrast between the old and the new, between Moses and Christ, between the earthly sanctuary and the real presence of God in heaven, between the blood of animals and the blood of Christ.

There was no escape for those who scorned the lesser, the earthly; how can there be escape for those who scorn the greater?

The writer has already made this point in Heb 2:2-4 and Heb 10:26-29.

FF Bruce comments 'To disobey the gospel incurs judgment more certain and terrible even that that incurred by disobedience to the law' (The Epistle to the Hebrews, p382).

Hebrews 2:2–4 KJV 1900

2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Hebrews 10:26–29 KJV 1900

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

As we were told right at the outset: 'in these last days (God) has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe' (Heb 1:2).

Hebrews 11:2 KJV 1900

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Not Moses. Not the angels. Not the prophets. But his Son. The question asked in Heb 2:3 hammers in our ears: 'how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?'

Hebrews 2:3 KJV 1900

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

There is only one answer: if we ignore this salvation, there is no escape. Ever.

I. 'THEREFORE, SINCE WE ARE RECEIVING A KINGDOM THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN ... ' (Heb 12: 28,29)

Hebrews 12:28 KJV 1900

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Hebrews 12:29 KJV 1900

29 For our God is a consuming fire.

The writer has established beyond doubt the utter superiority of Jesus Christ and his salvation; he calls this salvation 'a kingdom that cannot be shaken'.

This is the grand certainty and guarantee of what we have in Christ.

Other things can be shaken, even the earth and the heavens (Heb 12: 26,27), but what the believer has in Christ cannot be shaken.

Hebrews 12:26 KJV 1900

26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Hebrews 12:27 KJV 1900

27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

It stands for eternity. Therefore, rather than waver in our faith, rather than consider giving up, rather than revert to our former belief system, since we have such a salvation, since we are already members of such a kingdom (Colossians 1:13): Let us be thankful (not so ungrateful as to despise so great a salvation by turning our backs on it);

Colossians 1:13 KJV 1900

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

And so worship God acceptably (in the way that he has decreed - through acknowledging his Son);With reverence and awe (overcome by so great and costly a gift of salvation and so great a Saviour);

For our God is a consuming fire (if the cross is what he did to Jesus because of our sin, what will he do to those who refuse to embrace this salvation?)

Such thankfulness, such worship, such reverence and awe are the only right response to God's gift of his Son.