Better Promises : WK 6 - WED
Hebrews 12:13-17
Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.
In this passage we find several instructions, commands if you will, for the believers receiving this letter. Let’s look at them one at a time:
“Mark out a straight path for your feet…”
The phrase “mark out” can be translated to construct. This could be thought as making decisions and plans for your life that will create the straight path you want to walk in. In simpler terms, choose the right things to do.
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life…”
The peace that is being written about here is the kind of peace that brings pieces together into a whole, even at the level of the mind. That is the kind of unity that comes as we share experiences and thoughts in community. And the phrase “work at” means “to chase.” This kind of peace we need to pursue aggressively as well as a holy life, that comes through faith and the power of the Holy Spirit working in the heart.
“Look after each other…”
The phrase “look after” gives the sense that we are all expected to keep our eye on each other and care for one another. Not to judge or shame, but to support one another as we face challenges and even fail. This will create an environment where falling away from God will be difficult.
“Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you…”
It is inevitable that in a community, at some point, trouble will spring up. It can’t be avoided. The author admits this reality but instructs the believers to not allow bitterness to take hold and threaten the unity that exists. That is why it is necessary to forgive and work issues out as soon as they pop up. Nothing destroys a community quicker than unresolved resentment that is allowed to fester.
“Make sure that no one is immoral or godless…”
You may be wondering how a community can stop this from happening. Well there is only one way that I know of to inoculate yourself from becoming immoral and godless: be in an intimate relationship with Jesus. So the best thing a community can do is to encourage and help everyone pursue that kind of a relationship.
Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.
In this passage we find several instructions, commands if you will, for the believers receiving this letter. Let’s look at them one at a time:
“Mark out a straight path for your feet…”
The phrase “mark out” can be translated to construct. This could be thought as making decisions and plans for your life that will create the straight path you want to walk in. In simpler terms, choose the right things to do.
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life…”
The peace that is being written about here is the kind of peace that brings pieces together into a whole, even at the level of the mind. That is the kind of unity that comes as we share experiences and thoughts in community. And the phrase “work at” means “to chase.” This kind of peace we need to pursue aggressively as well as a holy life, that comes through faith and the power of the Holy Spirit working in the heart.
“Look after each other…”
The phrase “look after” gives the sense that we are all expected to keep our eye on each other and care for one another. Not to judge or shame, but to support one another as we face challenges and even fail. This will create an environment where falling away from God will be difficult.
“Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you…”
It is inevitable that in a community, at some point, trouble will spring up. It can’t be avoided. The author admits this reality but instructs the believers to not allow bitterness to take hold and threaten the unity that exists. That is why it is necessary to forgive and work issues out as soon as they pop up. Nothing destroys a community quicker than unresolved resentment that is allowed to fester.
“Make sure that no one is immoral or godless…”
You may be wondering how a community can stop this from happening. Well there is only one way that I know of to inoculate yourself from becoming immoral and godless: be in an intimate relationship with Jesus. So the best thing a community can do is to encourage and help everyone pursue that kind of a relationship.
- Which of the above instructions resonates with you?
- How can you apply these instructions in your life?
- Who in your life could be blessed by hearing these instructions?
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