LIVE WITH REVERENCE FOR GOD

Passage: Hebrews 12:14-29

Key verse: 28

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.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;(I) 19 to a trumpet blast(J) or to such a voice speaking words(K) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,(L) 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[a](M) 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[b](N)

22 But you have come to Mount Zion,(O) to the city(P) of the living God,(Q) the heavenly Jerusalem.(R) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn,(S) whose names are written in heaven.(T) You have come to God, the Judge of all,(U) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,(V) 24 to Jesus the mediator(W) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood(X) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.(Y)

25 See to it that you do not refuse(Z) him who speaks.(AA) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned(AB) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?(AC) 26 At that time his voice shook the earth,(AD) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[c](AE) 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken(AF)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,(AG) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,(AH) 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”[d](AI)

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Hebrews 12:20 Exodus 19:12,13
  2. Hebrews 12:21 See Deut. 9:19.
  3. Hebrews 12:26 Haggai 2:6
  4. Hebrews 12:29 Deut. 4:24
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.

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

18 For you have not come to (H)what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and (I)the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words (J)made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, (K)“If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, (L)so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to (M)Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, (N)the heavenly Jerusalem, and to (O)innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to (P)the assembly[a] of the firstborn who are (Q)enrolled in heaven, and to (R)God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, (S)the mediator of a new covenant, and to (T)the sprinkled blood (U)that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For (V)if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time (W)his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, (X)“Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates (Y)the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving (Z)a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus (AA)let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our (AB)God is a consuming fire.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Hebrews 12:23 Or church
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

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).

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).

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