Hebrews
12
Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a Great Cloud Of Witnesses,
Let
us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily
entangles,
And
let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let
us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith,
Who
for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame,
And
sat down at the right hand of the Throne Of God.
Consider
Him who endured such opposition from sinful men,
So
that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In
your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted
To
the point of shedding your blood.
And
you have forgotten that WORD of encouragement
That
addresses you as sons [and daughters]:
'My
son [my daughter], do not make light of the
Lord's discipline,
And
do not lose heart when He rebukes you,
Because
the Lord disciplines those He loves,
And
He punishes everyone He accepts as a son [or daughter].'
Endure
hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons
[and daughters].
For
what son [or daughter] is not disciplined by his father?
If
you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline),
Then
you are illegitimate children and not true sons [and
daughters].
Moreover,
we have all had human fathers who disciplined us
And
we respected them for it.
How
much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
Our
fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;
But
God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His Holiness.
No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later
on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace
For
those who have been trained by it.
Therefore,
strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
'Make
level paths for your feet,' [Prov.4:26]
So
that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Warning
Against Refusing God
Make
every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy;
Without
holiness no one will see the Lord.
See
to it that no one misses the grace of God
And that no bitter root
grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
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.
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.
You
have not come to a mountain that can be touched
And
that is burning with fire; To darkness, gloom and storm;
To
a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words,
So
that those who heard it begged that no further world be spoken to
them,
Because
they could not bear what was commanded:
'If
even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.'
The
sight was so terrifying that moses said, 'I am trembling with
fear.'
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,
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,
To
Jesus the Mediator of a New Covenant, and to the sprinkled blood
That
speaks a better WORD that the blood of Able.
See
to it that you do not refuse Him [Christ Jesus] 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?
At
the time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised,
'Once
more I will shake not only the earth but also the Heavens.'
The
words 'ONCE MORE' indicate the REMOVING of what can be shaken--
So
that what cannot be shaken may remain
[that which is of His Kingdom].
Therefore,
since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken,
Let
us be thankful,
And
so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
For
our God is a CONSUMING FIRE. (Hebrews 12)
Today,
the world is raging against God, rushing toward oblivion. (Psalm 2)
Save
yourself from this corrupt generation! (Acts 2:40)
As
God has written, so shall it be! Hallelujah! Maranatha!
No comments:
Post a Comment