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FOUR MOTIVATORS TO FAITHFULNESS

 

Looking unto Jesus

Hebrews 12:12-15b

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     The writer just finished a lengthy section about Old Testament examples who manifested faith in God.

 

B.      In this chapter, he reminds his readers of these Bible greats, but then points them to one even greater, Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

 

C.     The inspired penman also notes three other things that he hopes will encourage these Christians to remain faithful under great pressure to apostatize.

 

D.     Outline:

 

i.                    LOOKING UNTO JESUS (Heb. 12:1-4)

ii.                  LISTENING TO THE SCRIPTURE (Heb. 12:5-13)

iii.                LEARNING FROM AN OT CHARACTER (Heb. 12:14-17)

iv.                 LAUDING THEIR PRESENT SITUATION (Heb. 12:18-29)

 

I.                   LOOKING UNTO JESUS (Heb. 12:1-4)

 

II.                LISTENING TO THE SCRIPTURE (Heb. 12:5-13)

 

A.     The Reminder (Heb. 12:5-6)

B.      The Relationship (Heb. 12:7-8)

C.     The Reality (Heb. 12:9-10)

D.     The Reward (Heb. 12:11)

 

E.      The Renewal (Heb. 12:12-13)

1.        The exhortation (Heb. 12:12-13a)

 

Wherefore lift up the hands which hand down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet…

 

a.       The inspired writer ties his previous statements to what follows with the word “wherefore.”

b.      These words are an adaption from Isaiah 35:3.

 

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

 

c.       When the body grows weak, tired, and exhausted, the hands hand down, the knees begin to buckle, and running in a straight line is very difficult.

d.      The words from Scripture that the writer has just reminded his readers about should strengthen their inner man.

1)       Their hands will be lifted up.

2)      Their feeble knees would regain strength.

3)      Their path would be straight again.

4)     Barnes:  “So it is with the Christian. In persecution, and sickness, and bereavement, he may be ready to sink under his burdens. The hands fall, and the knees tremble, and the heart sinks within us. But confidence in God, and the hope of heaven, and the assurance that all this is for our good, will reinvigorate the enfeebled frame, and enable us to bear what we once supposed would crush us to the dust. A courageous mind braces a feeble body, and hope makes it fresh for new conflicts” (e-sword).

e.       NOTE:  There are some who translate the words, “make straight paths for your feet” as “make straight paths with your feet.” 

1)       They, then, emphasize that we are to make straight paths with our feet so others can follow us by connecting it with the next verse.

2)      If we do not make the path straight, then those who are lame will be turned out of the way.

3)      “The metaphor is still that of a company of pilgrims marching toward the heavenly city.  Some of them are weak, and possibly even ‘lame,’ disheartened and discouraged by the obstacles along the way, or perhaps even the journey itself.  Lest such drop out along the way, the author encourages those who are strong to do all they can to help the weaker brethren in their journey toward that heavenly home” (Wacaster, pp. 505-506).

2.       The ends (Heb. 13:b)

a.       We can falter

 

…lest that which is lame be turned out of the way…

 

1)       The Christian can be turned out of the way (See II Peter 2:15).

 

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray…

 

2)      There are only two ways according to Jesus (Matt. 7:13-14).

3)      If we are not in the narrow way, we are in the broad way.

4)     We are turned from the way of God

We are turned out of the way of the Lord.

We are turned out of the way of truth.

We are turned out of the way of righteousness.

We are turned out of the way of holiness.

We are turned out of the way of peace.

We are turned out of the good and right way.

We are turned out of the new and living way.

We are turned out of the way of life.

We are tuned out of THE WAY.

b.      We can be faithful

 

…but let is rather be healed.

 

1)       We can be healed of our spiritual sicknesses.

2)      Barnes:  “Whatever is defective we should endeavor to restore to soundness, rather than to suffer the defect to be increased. Whatever is feeble in our faith or hope; whatever evil tendency there is in our hearts, we should endeavor to strengthen and amend, lest it should become worse, and we should entirely fall” (e-sword).

3)      If we are healed, we will remain faithful to God.

 

III.             LEARNING FROM AN OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTER (Heb. 12:14-17)

 

A.     Basics (Heb. 12:14-15b)

1.        Commands (Heb. 12:14-15a)

a.       Pursue peace:  “Follow peace with all men…”

1)       Definitions

a)      Follow

-          Strong (1377):  to pursue

-          Thayer:  to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire

-          Vine:  pursuing

b)     Peace

-          Strong (1515):  peace

-          Thayer:  peace between individuals, harmony, accord

-          Vine:  harmonious relationships between men

2)      The word “follow” involves an action similar to a wild animal stalking its prey.  We are to pursue peace in that manner.

3)      This peace is to be sought with all men

a)      Our brothers and sisters in Christ.

b)     Those who are outside of Christ.

c)      Even our persecutors to the best of our ability.  However, we are to never make peace by compromising the truth (Rom. 12:18).

 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 

4)     Barnes:  “Do not give indulgence to those passions which lead to litigations, strifes, wars…” (e-sword).

5)      It is not surprising that our God wants us to follow after peace.  Bringing peace was one of the ultimate missions that God had in mind.

a)      He sent the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).

b)     He died to make peace between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:14-17).

c)      This is accomplished by preaching the gospel of peace (Rom. 10:15; Eph. 6:15).

d)     Those who obey have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1).

e)      And, a blessing is pronounced on all those who become peacemakers (Matt. 5:9).

b.      Practice holiness:  “…and holiness…”

1)       Holiness

a)      Strong (38):  purification, (the state) purity

b)     Thayer:  consecration, purification, the sanctification of heart and life

2)      That this is required of Christians should not surprise us because God is holy (See I Pet. 1:15-16).

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

 

3)      If we do not pursue peace and holiness, we cannot see God.

a)      Clarke:  “No soul can be fit for heaven that has not suitable dispositions for the place” (e-sword).

b)     Clarke also notes that seeing God involves our enjoying Him.  How can we enjoy a God of peace and holiness if we ourselves have not made those attributes a part of our lives?

c.       Persistent gazing:  “Looking diligently…”

1)       “Looking diligently” is one word in the Greek language. 

a)      It means to look carefully, beware.”

b)     It means to pay close attention.

2)      There are many things at which we are to look:

a)      The roads upon which we travel.

b)     The evidence for the decisions we make.

c)      The choice of friends with which we surround ourselves.

d)     The doctrines we choose to believe.

e)      The temptations and sins that cause us to linger too long.

f)       The coming of Jesus Christ in glory.

2.       Consequence (Heb. 12:15b)

 

…lest any man fail of the grace of God.

 

a.       Fail

1)       Strong (5302):  to fall short (be deficient)

2)      Thayer: 

a)      To fail, be in want of, wanting, lack

b)     to be left behind in the race and so fail to reach the goal, to fall short of the end

b.      The ASV translates these words as:  “…lest there be any man that falleth short of the grace of God.”

c.       These words are written to Christians who are in danger of apostasy.

1)       This passage plainly teaches that a Christian can fall from grace.

a)      He says that any man who does not follow peace and holiness will not see God.

b)     He exhorts his readers to look diligently.  Why be careful if you can’t fall?

c)      He tells them they can fall from the grace of God.

2)      It is interesting to read the comments of Calvinist commentators on this verse.

a)      Barnes:  “Whether this was to be by losing the religion which they now had, or by the fact that they never had any however near they may have come to it - the apostle does not here intimate, and this passage should not be used in the discussion of the question about failing from grace” (e-sword).

b)     Clarke:  “Lest any person should come behind, or fall off from, this grace or Gift of God; this state of salvation, viz. the Gospel system or Christianity; for this is most evidently the meaning of the apostle. It is not the falling from a work of grace in their own souls, but from the Gospel…”(e-sword).