LIVE WITH REVERENCE FOR GOD
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with
reverence and awe,
12:14 Make every effort to live in
peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows
up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or
is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the
oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing,
he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing
with tears. 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is
burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to
such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word
be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If
even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." 21 The sight was
so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." 22 But you
have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God.
You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to
the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come
to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24
to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks
a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See to it that you do not refuse him
who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth,
how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At
that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I
will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27 The words
"once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is,
created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since
we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so
worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our "God is a consuming
fire."
1. Struggling to grow in holiness
in our Christian lives is essential in our effort to come to God (14). We need
to live in peace with everyone, and our lifestyle should reflect the grace of
God to receive God's blessing (17).
2. When Moses received the law,
it was glorious yet terrifying. The mountain of fear described in verses 18 and
19 refers to Exodus 19. Because of their sins, the Israelites could not climb
Mount Sinai to see God. They had to understand the holiness of God and obey his
commands. However, we are not on the old mountain anymore. With Jesus as our
mediator, we freely come to God (24).
3. What should our life attitudes
be in our new relationship with God? As we desire to live a holy life, we must
not refuse to listen to him (25). We have learned that God severely punished
those who disobeyed him in the Old Testament. And now, as we know him as the
author of life who remains with the same love and grace even after everything
shakes away, we need to come to him with awesome respect and an absolute
attitude.
Prayer Father, thank you for the
relationship I enjoy in a new covenant through Jesus. Help me to be holy,
listen to your words, and encourage others to see your grace as we receive the
new heaven that is forever.
One Word We are in the city of the living
God
No comments:
Post a Comment