Advice for weary runners
Hebrews teaches us we are to finish the race. By Gods's grace we have started the race so by His grace we will finish it! We must persevere. Hebrews one started with this theme and here we are in chapter 12 with the same.
1/ We are to strengthen one another in the race. Verses 12 - 13.
Physically when we tire our arms and legs no longer function the way they should. The author here in Hebrews here is comparing this with spirituality. He shouts from the sidelines encouragement.
There is always something we can do as Christians to be encouraged. We can also encourage other brothers and sisters. It is our responsibility to help our friends in the faith.
Let us strengthen ourselves and strengthen those around us. If we walk along the path of righteousness in our lives, others following us will also walk that good path. If we walk the path of sin, those following us will follow us there too. What effect are you having on your brothers and sisters in Christ. We can have more influence than we think.
2/. We are to pursue peace and holiness as we run the race. Verse 14
We are to pursue or work at living in peace with everyone. We are to work at living a holy life.
We are to have peace not just with some men but all men. We are at peace with God when we are saved but we are also to be at peace with our fellow man.
The most important thing is, are you at peace with God.
If you are then you should 'work at' being at peace with all men. Some may not want To be at peace with you, but you should strive to be at peace with them.
Secondly we are to work at living a holy life. There are 3 ways we are holy. When we are saved we are set apart to be holy. This is our position in Christ. The secondly there is progressive holiness. We should progressively grow in our grace and knowledge of The Lord Jesus Christ. We get more like Him as we grow in holiness. Then lastly there is perfected holiness. This is when we die or meet Jesus on His return. We will then just be like Him.
So which one is this passage about. Obviously the second. He is seeking of progressive holiness. We are to work with all our might to be Jesus. Do we pursue holiness with all our might. We need to grow in holiness. This is not teaching salvation by works. It is teaching if we are saved this will be a fruit of that salvation. This work will be an evidence of our salvation.
3/. We are to watch out for apostasy. Verses 15 - 17.
We are to look after each other so that none fails to receive the grace of God. We are to watch for those who are not really saved. They may be religious but haven't received God's grace. Here the author is warning us to watch out. He warns us about the poisonous unbeliever who could cause trouble in the Church. If the unbelief is not confronted it could harm the whole Church.
So far as possible non Christians should never be in membership of a Church.
Esau is given here as an example. He is an example of a poisonous root. He is described as immoral. He is described as godless. Esau sold his soul for a bowl of soup.
Don't be the fool Esau was. We need to watch out for Esaus.
There should never be anything we would trade for Jesus.
Let us work together to be more holy and more like Jesus Christ our saviour.
Created 7 months ago
