[Linux4christians] ‭Hebrews 12 (Friday)

[Pastor David]

*‭Hebrews 12 (Friday)*

*‭Commentary*

"... we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses ... we 
must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so 
closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 
keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus"

"You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed in your 
struggle against sin.  Endure your suffering as discipline; 
God is treating you as sons."

"But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons 
have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons."

[Note:  It is often considered a test of our value to God 
that the enemy feels threatened enough to divert resource to 
attack us, but here it is the discipline of the Lord which 
defines us as His and therefore worthy of re-direction when 
we drift toward sin, though it is sometimes the case that 
the Lord will allow the enemy as a tool of His discipline of 
us.]

"Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no 
one will see the Lord."

[Note:  This does not intend to promote pacifism in the face 
of a violent threat, it is about relationships and about our 
half of the relationship, we cannot control the actions of 
another - though we can model peace and not respond in-kind 
to those who are not acting in a peaceful manner.  Also, the 
last phrase refers to us, that is that "no one will see the 
Lord" in us if we do not seek peace and holiness in our 
daily walk.]

"See that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no 
one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, 
and through him many become defiled."

[Note:  The NET translator's notes link this to Deut. 29:17 
which refers to someone with a self-serving conditional 
relationship with God - which is not an acceptable 
relationship at all and will poison them and others around 
them.]

And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless 
person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single 
meal.  For you have not come to something that can be 
touched [as in the Exodus 19:12-13 experience of Moses on 
the mountain] ... But you have come to Mount Zion ..."

[Note:  The contrast here is between a law-based 
relationship and an intimate relationship, the first driven
by fear-based obedience, the latter on love-based awe and 
obligation.]

"I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too. 
Now this phrase "once more" indicates the removal of what is 
shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken 
will remain."

[Note:  God, through Jesus, brings us into the "unshakable 
kingdom" of eternity with Him, He then will obliterate 
everything that was created and rendered sinful through the 
twin rebellions of the enemy and of Adam and Eve.  Nothing 
will remain.]

"... let us give thanks, and through this let us offer 
worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe."


*‭Interaction*

*Consider* that God expects us to resist sin "... to the 
point of bloodshed", not the blood of others but our 	own. 
God also expects us to have an unconditional relationship 
with Him, for if we harbor selfish motives we will become 
bitter toward Him when discipline comes and will spread that 
bitterness.

*Discuss* practical ways to "Pursue peace with everyone, and 
holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord." - 
intentionally avoiding conflict by being vessels of His 
peace, and intentionally combining a peaceful attitude with 
a holy walk so that people may see Christ in us and want 
what we have.

*Reflect* upon the return of God to judge the world and to 
obliterate everything of earth and heaven that is not part 
of His eternal perfect kingdom.  This includes not only the 
physical world but also unsaved humans 	and the rebellious 
angels who followed the enemy.

*Share* examples of your struggle to resist sin and/or the 
fruits of a good witness for Christ that resulted from 
seeking peace and holiness.

*Truth in Action*

Today I am choosing to resist sin and seek peace and 
holiness so that the fruits of a good witness for Christ 
will make it possible for the Holy Spirit to use me to draw 
someone nearer to a decision to surrender to Him and thus to 
share in the joy of my salvation.  I will share the results 
of this with at least one other believer so that they may be 
encouraged to do the same.

*Be Specific*  _______________________________________

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Saturdays text will be: ‭Hebrews 13
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Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day!  Pastor David
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Senior Pastor (Interim) Bethel Missionary Baptist
http://bethelstatesboro.org (new site pending)
Bible Commentary & Daily Reflection-Action-Devotional
http://bibleseven.com/b7/b7studies.html
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