DON'T MISS THE GRACE OF GOD

Passage: Hebrews 12:14-17

Key verse: 14

NIV

Warning and Encouragement

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone(A) and to be holy;(B) without holiness no one will see the Lord.(C) 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God(D) and that no bitter root(E) grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral,(F) or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.(G) 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears,(H) he could not change what he had done.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

14 (A)Strive for peace with everyone, and for the (B)holiness (C)without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one (D)fails to obtain the grace of God; that no (E)“root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is (F)sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that (G)afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Make every effort (14-15)

We must make every effort to live in peace with all people and to be holy. We are defiled and our relations with others are broken when we allow a bitter root to grow in our hearts. If we want to be holy and see God we cannot hold a grudge or allow jealousy or self-pity to dwell in our hearts. These things defile us, and cause trouble with others.

2. Don't be like Esau (16-17)

Esau was a man who couldn't be trained because he lived by his feelings; he did not struggle against sin. When he was hungry, he ate; when he wanted to have sex, he did. He was immoral and godless, so he did not value spiritual things. Later, he regretted missing his father's blessing, but it was too late. As God's children, we must accept God's training and grow in holiness. Holiness means being different from animals. Holiness is the image of the righteous and loving God in us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to strive for holiness. As I have been loved and forgiven, help me to love and forgive others.

One Word: Seek peace and holiness