HoHum:
John Newton- I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I am what I am.
WBTU:
As I was studying this passage, Hebrews 12:14-17, it just wasn’t clicking for me. After a time my thoughts centered on vs. 15, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God.”
Had some problems with it. He is not saying that we have to do these things in order to be saved. This goes against the concept of grace. If that were the case, none of us could be saved. We are under grace, not under law when it comes to salvation. Jesus Christ kept the commandments but suffered the penalty of sin for us. We break the commandments because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God except one Jesus Christ. We are sinners, while he is sinless. However, through Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross we escape the penalty when we respond to the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:21: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Under grace, “sin” goes with Jesus, and “righteousness” goes with us.
Another issue with “see to it that no one misses the grace of God.” Miss it, if we have been reading this book, how could we miss it? From ch. 1-10 that has been the whole argument. The writer doesn’t use the word grace that much. Only three times in Hebrews before this verse. However, this is what he is talking about, don’t abandon the New Covenant. It is better because it is based on grace through Jesus and not on the law.
Misunderstanding on my part, See to it that “no one” misses the grace of God. The writer is not saying, “See to it that you don’t miss the grace of God.” No, he is saying that you don’t let other people miss the grace of God. Don’t let yourself be a stumbling block so that those around you miss the grace of God. Yes, use our voices to tell people about the grace of God through Jesus, but more importantly use our actions and our lives to tell about God’s grace. A wise man once said, “Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you're saying.”
There are two aspects of holiness or sanctification. One is initial sanctification and this happens when we respond to the gospel. When we come to Christ in repentance, confession and baptism, we are forgiven. Not only are we forgiven, but we have the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit. We have a new nature that is put within us. We are made holy vs. 14. The word “sanctify” is simply the verb form of the adjective “holy.” The NASB uses the word sanctification here. In this sense to be sanctified means to be “set apart.” If we do not have this holiness, then we will never see the Lord.
The other aspect of sanctification is called progressive sanctification, which is the ongoing process by which the Christian becomes more and more holy or more and more like Christ.
This is mainly what is being talked about here in Hebrews 12:14-17 is progressive sanctification. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives and give us the ability and power to change into the image of Christ. There are some who teach that after a person becomes a Christian, then later on God gives them the second work of grace and that is holiness. No, God is not going to zap us and we are made holy. It is a process of us allowing the Holy Spirit to change us. Philippians 2:12-13: continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. God is not going to work against us, we work together to become more and more holy.
As we continue to forsake sins and continue to change into the image of Christ, we allow the grace of God to shine from our lives. Philippians says that we shine like stars in the universe.
If we do not grow in holiness, then the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:1 come true: we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. In other words, his grace will not be passed on.
These verses give us some things to work on in that vein.
Thesis: There are 4 things that we need to work on if we are not going to let anyone miss the grace of God.
For instances:
Make every effort to live in peace with all men (vs. 14)
How does one "pursue peace with all men"? By seeking peace with God first. Then pursue peace within ourselves (the peace that passes all understanding) and then with others.
Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Should we compromise our stands or the truth to maintain peace? No. However, as much as possible we must do as Romans 12:20-21 says: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
John MacArthur- I'll never forget one time when I cut off a guy in a Porsche. I was driving a Volkswagen bus. He had a convertible with a hat and the whole routine- Sunglasses, leather jacket, everything. So he pulled up beside me. He started to curse. He just cursed and cursed. And he got all done, I leaned out the window, and I said, "Sir, You know, you're absolutely right. I just wonder if somewhere in your heart you can find to forgive me." He couldn’t handle that. He watched both ways and ran a red light to get away from me.
No bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many (Vs. 15)
Have we ever been “burned” by people? We are not alone, everyone has. But instead of being consumed by it, God tells us to forgive it and let it go. When we deny our feelings and stew under the surface, what this verse talks about happens. We need to deal Scripturally with the situation so that our painful experiences won’t make us bitter, but make us better. The ultimate test of the gracious heart is how we respond to people who have harmed us.
If we are dealing with bitterness do these three things:
Forgive. Forgiveness isn’t based on an emotion. Don’t wait until we “feel” like it, decide today to let the offense go. When we do, God’s Spirit will calm our emotions and help us overcome the urge to retaliate. Talking about grace and Jesus Christ we have these words from Colossians 3:13: Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Pray about it. The moment we sense resentment, turn to God and He will give us the strength to act in love rather than react in anger. Leave it with God and He will take care of it. Romans 12:19: Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Think Scripturally. Look up verses on showing forgiveness and meditate on them. We want to pass on grace- 1 Peter 3:9: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:16: those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Sexual Immorality (Vs. 16)
Dr. Jack Cottrell gives this definition of grace “A gift that brings joy.” One gift that God has given us is marriage. Genesis 2:24: Man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
A wonderful part of marriage is the one flesh, sex, physical intimacy. Now outside of marriage, is sex a “a gift that brings joy.” No! Now, it might be a “gift that brings happiness.” Much like when Hebrews 11 talks about Moses in vs. 25: He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. It can be described as exciting, as enjoyable, but not something that brings joy.
One of the problems here is that we are using someone else to satisfy our lusts. God has been gracious to us; He expects us to be gracious to all others. We are familiar with the “golden rule”: Luke 6:31: Do to others as you would have them do to you. By rewording this slightly we have what may be called the “gracious rule”: “Do unto others as God has done unto you!” Does God look for ways to use us and exploit us, is He looking for ways to take advantage of us? A philosophy of “What’s in it for me?” is the opposite of grace.
Ephesians 5:3: But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Profane or Godless like Esau (Vs. 16-17)
What was Esau’s first mistake or sin? Genesis 25:34: Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
What’s the big deal about the birthright?
1. a double portion of all the father’s possessions
2. And was lord over his brethren.
And in the family of Abraham the first-born was the main one through whom the promises of God to Abraham would come.
Esau was “a profane person”, which means “a common person, one who lives for the world and not God.” What will cause others to miss the grace of God living in us? When we live for the world and the flesh. Esau was totally secular. 1 John 2:17: The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Now Esau was not a bad person. Esau was a nice fellow, a good hunter, a man who loved his father. He would have made a fine neighbor- but he was not interested in the things of God. He did not have a sense of spiritual values.
E. We can become "profane" or “godless” by devaluing our spiritual blessings...
1. In Christ, we have a spiritual birthright (redemption, fellowship with God, eternal life)
2. But we can let careers, hobbies, friends, even families, come between us and God
