Encouragement

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe…" Heb 12:28

Many times in my life, I have been the recipient of ungracious and unhelpful words and deeds. Sometimes privately, sometimes during my working life. These occasions never cease to prompt a quick mental response of self-justification and rebuttal. If, praise God, I can ponder or consider my response, I often realise there are always 2 options for my response. Grace or simply resentment and bitterness.

When we are told 'to look carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God', this is suggesting that we cannot dial up grace from our own resources, when we meet opposition. It is God's grace and we must look to Him for that resource.

In fact, the preceding verse tells us: "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." This encourages us to 'bury the hatchet' not just with our current antagonist, but perhaps there are other conflicts in our recent experience that the Lord is also seeking to resolve. Peace for the believer goes hand-in-hand with holiness. Eternal peace was granted through Christ's holiness being applied to you at salvation. Daily peace also requires us to live holy lives that are pleasing to God, as indeed His Son's life was to Him.

True! Sometimes peace is not only dependant on us. The scripture does say, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

Nevertheless, we need to at least pursue peace. It is not always achievable for the believer because peace with your neighbour takes two people.

However, it is sad if a lack of holiness in our lives leads to all kinds of disruption in peaceful relationships with those around us. When that absence of grace towards others occurs, we are told a 'root of bitterness' can be sown. Roots grow largely unseen until with time, they spring up causing visible results. The root of unjudged bitter words will always produce the fruit of trouble in due course, unless the grace of God forestalls it.

Like the Lord, we should try to meet privately with the various Simon Peters who have cursed us. Then also like the Lord, there may occur a more public demonstration of our confidence in a brother or sister's restoration. Peter's cursing almost immediately caused him bitter tears of sorrow, the Lord observed it, and His grace did the rest.

There is a contrast in Hebrews 12 between the mountain burning with fire and judgement (the law) and the city of the living God (Grace), the church of the Firstborn whose names are registered in heaven. We can't live in both places at the same time.

Yes, truly, we have been received into a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us therefore practice grace to serve God acceptably as true sons, servants and citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.

You have a blessed and joyful week.

Kind regards in Him

Doug