Good morning. We are now
back in the book of Hebrews. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification
without which no one will see the Lord. This is not just a statement; it is in
the imperative which is like an command. It tells us to pursue that peace. Paul
said as far as it has to do with you be at peace with all men. However, we do
not compromise to obtain that peace. We are also to pursue sanctification. Yes
we were "legally" sanctified when we were born again. But the
outworking of that sanctification in our lives depends on us. And we have to
pursue it – it doesn't just come naturally. Without it, we will not see the
Lord. See to it that no one comes short
of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble,
and by it many be defiled. Too many lives of Christians are ruined by a root of
bitterness. With good plants it seems like a root is not enough for them to
continue. But with weeds, that's all it takes. They eventually spring up and
flourish. So it is with bitterness. If even a root remains, it will certainly
spring up again later - and next time it will be worse than ever before.
Remember those who led you, and spoke the word of God to you; and considering
the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. People like the pastor are
our examples. Only if these Christian leaders are leading a godly life should
we imitate their faith. When they do live godly lives, we should follow their faith.
Father thank You that the reader pursues peace with all and sanctification. He/she
imitates the faith of people like the pastor.
Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me
Good morning. Paul then gives a list of a lot of things that he has gone through as an apostle. I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. There could be many people that you listen to either in church or through the Internet or other means; but there was only one person (as a general rule it was a person) that lead you to Christ. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. He was saying that just like a child imitates his or her father, they were to imitate him. He says that again seven chapters later. Since it is easy to forget some things about people we have not seen in a while, Paul says that he sent Timothy to them to remind them of his ways which are in Christ, just as he taught everywhere in every church. Some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. I shall find ou...
Comments
Post a Comment