Why Choose Fear Over Grace?

Throughout the book of Hebrews, the author has been pointing out the significant difference between the Law and what Jesus Christ offers. Obviously, it has been made clear that Jesus and what He offers is better and greater than anything contained within the Law, with its rules and regulations that had no power to save anybody.

In this section today, we’ll be looking at two mountains, as it were; Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. The first, Mount Sinai, represents the Law that was given specifically to Israel, and to which Paul spoke of as a tutor to point us to Christ. The latter, Mount Zion, represents the culmination of all that is ours through Jesus Christ, which nobody can do anything on their own to reach Mount Zion.

It will seem as though we’re going to be experiencing a side-by-side comparison of both of these mountains. The author is trying to once again show that to go hiking back to Mount Sinai, with all of its history and sentimentality, is a waste of time and energy. Instead, we need to get on with our hike to that mountain which is in the kingdom of heaven which has been provided for us through Jesus Christ, as well as prepare to bring our offerings of service in gratitude to our great Lord.

In these verses, fear is seen as a motivator. Many of the readers had already experienced great trouble and turmoil by just being connected to a local church which was founded upon what Jesus Christ had done. Whether the readers were saved or unsaved, they could certainly see the terrible things that were taking place to those who were living their lives for Christ; persecution in various ways--thrown into prison, being killed by God-haters.

It seems that the author is taking things a step further as he lets it be known that fear of man is nothing compared to the fear that should be felt when facing God’s judgment. There are only two choices, as we clearly see in these verses. A person can be judged by the law which is represented by Mount Sinai. Or one can be judged by what Christ did on the cross which is represented by Mount Zion.

We must choose Grace in order to experience salvation in Jesus Christ.

Fear and the Law - 12.18-21

It has often fascinated and puzzled me, that so many people, even Christians, want to go back to the Law. Especially when we consider that the law is impossible to keep and is surrounded by fear and judgment.

Hebrews 12:18–21 (NASB95)

For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.” And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am full of fear and trembling.”

My earlier statement, regarding the law being surrounded by fear, may sound like it’s a bit of an overstatement, but I don’t think that it is. When you look at the aspects of the law, not including the ten commandments, everything seems to be based on requirements that must be done or not done. If humanity doesn’t follow this to the letter, the result is judgment. That is why the author is telling the readers and us, [you have not come to this].

Even though Mount Sinai could be physically touched, we read that if even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned. All that the law provided was the very basics of the holiness requirements of God. Paul speaks of the law in Galatians in various places. Galatians 3:19: “Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.” Further on in Galatians 3.24-25: “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”

Paul also provided information on why the law was given in the first place in Galatians 3.19: “Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.”

So as we reread the account of the law being given in Exodus 19 and 20, we see that the people of Israel were taking this all quite seriously and they were absolutely terrified, as they should have been. Yet, even then, Moses reminded the people that if they truly were honoring to God and were obedient, then they had no reason to be afraid. Yet, we all realize that just obeying God’s law to try to earn His favor is not a heart obedience. Paul further describes the law and living under the law in the first part of 2 Corinthians 3.7: “But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones,\ . . .”

So, why did God give the Law in the first place? Remember how Paul referred to it as a tutor? That’s what it truly was. You see, if a person doesn’t even recognize that they’re a sinner, what’s the motivation to want to be saved? Truly Jesus’ life and death on this earth is completely meaningless if anybody in this world had the ability to experience salvation by following the law. But the Bible tells us that There is no one righteous, not even one. The Bible also reminds us that All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If you don’t believe it, then try to follow every detail of the law. You will find it absolutely impossible. By the way, close enough truly only counts in horseshoes, not in your salvation.

Again, I find myself scratching my head in bewilderment as to why anyone would choose fear over grace. Why would anyone think that by following the law, they could actually experience salvation? This is why the writer of Hebrews continues.

No Fear In Grace - 12.22-24

Here is the contrast, the reminder that many of the readers have chosen grace. They, and all who are believers in Jesus Christ, have chosen grace, so there is no need to fear.

Hebrews 12:22–24 (NASB95)

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

Notice the contrast here as compared to the earlier verses and what we remember from Exodus. While humanity was warned about approaching the mountain, basically told to stay away, lest they die; here we have that wonderful word, come. It’s a word of invitation. It’s a word that invites us to put aside fear. It’s a word that describes absolute, total acceptance, which we know is only because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.

When we continue to compare Mount Sinai with Mount Zion, the law versus grace, there are a number of major contrasts. Sinai was surrounded by fear; Zion is open to all who would approach. Sinai was off limits; Zion is available to all who will accept Jesus Christ. Sinai was seen as being full of clouds and darkness with lightning and thunder; Zion is known as the city of light. Sinai represents judgment which results in death; Zion represents forgiveness which results in eternal life.

The group to which these verses were addressed seem to clearly be believers, since the phrase, you have come to Mount Zion . . . Even by the verb tense, we can tell that our salvation is a done deal. It’s not something for the future. As the Bible says, Now we are children of God . . .

So, we look at all of the incredible blessings that are ours when we choose to come to Mount Zion, when we become a follower of Jesus Christ. We experience the reality that we shall be in heaven, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. We have been promised a place in heaven to be with Jesus forever, as He promised in John 14. That is future, yet while here on this earth, we are responsible to proclaim the message of salvation so that others will choose grace.

We will join with myriads of angels in giving glory to God and praising Him for all eternity. That’s completely opposite of Mount Sinai, where the people were forbidden to approach the angels who gave the law to Moses. We will be with the angels giving praise to God.

We will also be among the church of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven. That is in reference to all who are born again. we are those who are enrolled in heaven. In other words, our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

We also, even now, can come to God, the Judge of all. With the law, this was never possible, without following all kinds of steps and procedures. However, when Jesus was crucified, Luke tells us that the veil of the temple was torn in two, which shows that everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, has access at all times and can come directly into the presence of God.

The spirits of the righteous made perfect seems to be in reference to all who died before Jesus that placed their trust and faith in God for the future. What a blessing we have in that we are made perfect in Christ the moment we place our faith and trust in Him.

Then we see that we come to Jesus. He is the mediator of a new covenant. John tells us in his first letter, When we see Him, we shall be like Him. How is all this possible?

Because of the sprinkled blood. This is the blood of Jesus Christ which paid the price for my redemption, my salvation. It is better than the blood of Abel, because Abel’s blood could not purchase anyone’s salvation. He had inherited the sin nature, which disqualified him. Jesus’ blood was better and able because he had no sin.

When you consider all the amazing blessings because of God’s grace, it boggles the mind that some would still choose to follow Mount Sinai which speaks of death and judgment. So what does it all come down to?

Choose - 12.25-29

That’s right—choose. You can choose Mount Sinai, following to the best of your ability the law, only to realize the end result is judgment and death. Or you can choose Mount Zion, trusting in the finished cross work of Jesus Christ, knowing that the end result is experiencing His grace and having eternal life with Jesus.

Hebrews 12:25–29 (NASB95)

See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.

What does the author means when he says do not refuse Him who is speaking? Don’t ignore God’s warning. At this point, it doesn’t matter if it’s the law or grace; if you ignore God, there is only judgment and death. The law pointed out our sin and our need for the Savior. The earth was shaken when the law was given on Mount Sinai. However, Jesus has come and has offered us grace. To refuse Him is to invite judgment and death.

There will come a day when everything that can be shaken will be completely destroyed. What’s left? That which is eternal; the salvation of our souls. We receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken. . . 2 Peter gives further insight as he explains, how all that is part of this physical universe, will be completely destroyed. John tells us in Revelation, that there will be a new heaven and a new earth . . . We will be part of this, a kingdom which cannot be shaken.

What is our response to be? gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe. Is that for now or later? It is starting now. In other words, our life should be one which takes all of this into consideration and our response is to live and serve our wonderful Lord, worshipping Him at all times. Have you ever considered that your whole life should be one of glorifying the Lord, giving Him worship in everything and for everything?

But wait for the last few words of this passage; for our God is a consuming fire. This whole question of Law or Grace is not like asking do you want chocolate or vanilla ice cream. This is truly a matter of life or death. For those who are on the edge, not quite sure what choice to make, the author is offering a warning in the context of this whole book. He is basically telling everyone to not go back to the law. The law only promises judgment. Yet, consider that if you do go back to Mount Sinai, to following the law, you are rejecting Mount Zion and the offer of grace. If anyone refuses that offer, all that is left is God’s consuming fire of judgment.

Conclusion

My friends, every single human being has this choice. However, our nature, even from earliest childhood, is to try and do it ourselves. Doing it ourselves, by trying to follow the law or any part of it, is a slap in the face of Jesus Christ. Works can never provide salvation. There is so much in the New Testament that warns of making the law and anything that it contains into something which is special or essential.

The choice ought to be to trust in the finished cross work of Jesus Christ. The choice is to go to Mount Zion and experience grace.

Beloved, if you are truly born again and have experienced the grace of God, then there is no possible way that you would want to hang onto anything from Mount Sinai. And you want to do everything possible to help others to begin that journey to Mount Zion, where they can receive grace and forgiveness.