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Six Principles for Pursuing Holiness from Hebrews 12
Six Principles for Pursuing Holiness from Hebrews 12
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.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
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:)
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.
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:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
The holiness we must pursue is perfectly seen in Jesus, who was separated from all sin, blameless, pure, and righteous (Heb. 1:9; 4:15; 7:26).
The holiness we must pursue is perfectly seen in Jesus, who was separated from all sin, blameless, pure, and righteous (Heb. 1:9; 4:15; 7:26).
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Hebrews 12:1–13 outlines at least six means by which we are to pursue holiness.
Hebrews 12:1–13 outlines at least six means by which we are to pursue holiness.
First, we pursue holiness by laying aside every weight (Heb. 12:1).
First, we pursue holiness by laying aside every weight (Heb. 12:1).
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.
Marathon runners shed every ounce that slows them down.
Marathon runners shed every ounce that slows them down.
If there is anything that is hindering your pursuit of holiness, you must lay it aside!
If there is anything that is hindering your pursuit of holiness, you must lay it aside!
Media, money, music, pride, relationships—it doesn’t matter what it is.
Media, money, music, pride, relationships—it doesn’t matter what it is.
If it’s impeding your progress in holiness, it’s past time to get rid of it.
If it’s impeding your progress in holiness, it’s past time to get rid of it.
Have you laid aside every weight in your pursuit of holiness?
Have you laid aside every weight in your pursuit of holiness?
Second, we pursue holiness by laying aside the easily ensnaring sin (Heb. 12:1).
Second, we pursue holiness by laying aside the easily ensnaring sin (Heb. 12:1).
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,
Weights aren’t the only things to be laid aside.
Weights aren’t the only things to be laid aside.
The easily ensnaring sin must go, too.
The easily ensnaring sin must go, too.
What is this sin?
What is this sin?
It’s the one to which you most easily fall prey.
It’s the one to which you most easily fall prey.
All believers easily fall prey to self-centeredness, the primary manifestation of our corrupted nature.
All believers easily fall prey to self-centeredness, the primary manifestation of our corrupted nature.
We lay aside this sin principle by coming to Christ for the cleansing of His Holy Spirit.
We lay aside this sin principle by coming to Christ for the cleansing of His Holy Spirit.
Yet, even after your heart has been purified by faith, there will be sins in which you may be easily ensnared.
Yet, even after your heart has been purified by faith, there will be sins in which you may be easily ensnared.
We lay these sins aside by doing all that Scripture prescribes for guarding ourselves from sin:
We lay these sins aside by doing all that Scripture prescribes for guarding ourselves from sin:
make use of the means of grace (Psa. 119:11; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:13–18); make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts (Rom. 13:14);
make use of the means of grace (Psa. 119:11; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:13–18); make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts (Rom. 13:14);
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
flee from temptation by associating with those who pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace and who call upon God out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22);
flee from temptation by associating with those who pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace and who call upon God out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22);
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).
and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).
Have you dealt with the sin that easily ensnares you?
Have you dealt with the sin that easily ensnares you?
Third, we pursue holiness by looking unto Jesus (Heb. 12:2).
Third, we pursue holiness by looking unto Jesus (Heb. 12:2).
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.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Every runner knows that an unwavering focus on the finish line is a key to winning.
Every runner knows that an unwavering focus on the finish line is a key to winning.
A distracted runner is a losing runner.
A distracted runner is a losing runner.
The word translated “looking” means to “direct one’s attention without distraction, fix one’s eyes trustingly” on someone.
The word translated “looking” means to “direct one’s attention without distraction, fix one’s eyes trustingly” on someone.
We must undistractedly and trustingly fix our soul’s gaze upon Jesus.
We must undistractedly and trustingly fix our soul’s gaze upon Jesus.
Why?
Why?
Because He is the model for holiness.
Because He is the model for holiness.
A sure way to falter in our pursuit of holiness is to look around and compare ourselves with others.
A sure way to falter in our pursuit of holiness is to look around and compare ourselves with others.
To be holy as Jesus was holy, we must run focused on Him. Is your gaze fixed on Jesus?
To be holy as Jesus was holy, we must run focused on Him. Is your gaze fixed on Jesus?
Fourth, we pursue holiness by persevering in the fight against sin (Heb. 12:3–4).
Fourth, we pursue holiness by persevering in the fight against sin (Heb. 12:3–4).
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.
These verses should jolt us free from any thought of sprinting easily to holy victory.
These verses should jolt us free from any thought of sprinting easily to holy victory.
Yes, every weight and the easily ensnaring sin may have been laid aside, but we are in a fight!
Yes, every weight and the easily ensnaring sin may have been laid aside, but we are in a fight!
We do battle as we pursue holiness.
We do battle as we pursue holiness.
The enemy will contest every advance in Christlikeness.
The enemy will contest every advance in Christlikeness.
There is no age, maturity, or state of grace which exempts us from this clash.
There is no age, maturity, or state of grace which exempts us from this clash.
The danger of becoming wearied and faint in our minds dogs us all.
The danger of becoming wearied and faint in our minds dogs us all.
We persevere by considering Christ’s endurance.
We persevere by considering Christ’s endurance.
Our Captain won through the devil’s throng.
Our Captain won through the devil’s throng.
By His grace, we may too!
By His grace, we may too!
Are you persevering in the fight against sin?
Fifth, we pursue holiness by submitting to the Lord’s chastening and enduring it thankfully (Heb. 12:5–11).
Are you persevering in the fight against sin?
Fifth, we pursue holiness by submitting to the Lord’s chastening and enduring it thankfully (Heb. 12:5–11).
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.
If we’re pursuing holiness, we should not experience God’s chastening hand, right?
If we’re pursuing holiness, we should not experience God’s chastening hand, right?
Wrong! That’s not the way He works.
Wrong! That’s not the way He works.
In fact, God sovereignly permits and ordains hardships, as the case may be, to help us grow in Christlike holiness.
In fact, God sovereignly permits and ordains hardships, as the case may be, to help us grow in Christlike holiness.
The old adage, “No pain, no gain,” speaks truly to our condition.
The old adage, “No pain, no gain,” speaks truly to our condition.
We pursue holiness by humbly accepting Providence’s rebukes with thanksgiving, for they testify of His loving passion for us to partake of His holiness.
We pursue holiness by humbly accepting Providence’s rebukes with thanksgiving, for they testify of His loving passion for us to partake of His holiness.
Are you thanking the Father for His holiness-inducing chastenings?
Are you thanking the Father for His holiness-inducing chastenings?
Sixth, we pursue holiness by strengthening one another (Heb. 12:12–13).
Sixth, we pursue holiness by strengthening one another (Heb. 12:12–13).
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.
The world’s motto is “every man for himself.”
The world’s motto is “every man for himself.”
Not so with the pursuit of holiness.
Not so with the pursuit of holiness.
Holiness must be pursued in community.
Holiness must be pursued in community.
We grow in Christlike holiness best when we live in structures of mutual accountability and edification.
We grow in Christlike holiness best when we live in structures of mutual accountability and edification.
We run the race to holiness best when we link arms with fellow runners.
We run the race to holiness best when we link arms with fellow runners.
If one stumbles, his partners help lift him to steady pace.
If one stumbles, his partners help lift him to steady pace.
Have you linked arms with fellow pursuers of holiness?
Have you linked arms with fellow pursuers of holiness?