"Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14, NASB)
How we finish is equally important as how we begin. The next verse says, "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God...." Apparently that can happen.
Our sojourn in Jesus is full of Bunyon's "City of Destruction," "the Slough of Despond," "Mr. Worldly," etc. How we navigate these obstacles will determine our end. Now I know this sounds like we can lose our salvation. I must admit that I have been never quite able to finalize any theology on that. The "once-saved-always-saved" people, or those who believe that some-sin-will-ultimately-be the-end-of-us people need to be very cautious. One can lead to carelessness, the other to depression. I would caution those who have every Biblical principle "finalized" in their minds to be very, very careful. Such mentality can lead to arrogance and quick condemnation of others.
The NIV entitles verses 14-17 as, "Warning and Encouragement." It is. Indeed, one could say that this is a good summation of Biblical Theology. All through the Bible, every book contains an element of both. Just about the time someone rests in the belief that he/she can do anything, as the old 50s song which says, "though it makes Him sad to see the way we live, He'll always say, 'I forgive,'" along comes a passage as our text which, as the book by William Law is titled, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life.
"Looking unto Jesus," you probably just stopped reading, thinking, "Oh, there he goes again with the same old stuff." But if you read through the Bible regularly be careful you do not say that to the Lord Jesus. We have no more declarations on living the life of faith and obedience in Jesus Christ than what was canonized 17 centuries ago. "Looking unto Jesus," is such a key command in the Bible. And notice that is precedes our text. Whatever the pursuit of holiness/sanctification fully means, whatever the danger of coming, "short of the grace of God," may fully mean, we will walk safely, confidently in, "the fear of the Lord," circumspectly, and rejoicing when our hearts and minds are, "Looking unto Jesus," and nothing or no one else.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I want to, as Enoch, be pleasing to You. Amen.
*********************
News, Commentary: jhs58.blogspot.com
How we finish is equally important as how we begin. The next verse says, "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God...." Apparently that can happen.
Our sojourn in Jesus is full of Bunyon's "City of Destruction," "the Slough of Despond," "Mr. Worldly," etc. How we navigate these obstacles will determine our end. Now I know this sounds like we can lose our salvation. I must admit that I have been never quite able to finalize any theology on that. The "once-saved-always-saved" people, or those who believe that some-sin-will-ultimately-be the-end-of-us people need to be very cautious. One can lead to carelessness, the other to depression. I would caution those who have every Biblical principle "finalized" in their minds to be very, very careful. Such mentality can lead to arrogance and quick condemnation of others.
The NIV entitles verses 14-17 as, "Warning and Encouragement." It is. Indeed, one could say that this is a good summation of Biblical Theology. All through the Bible, every book contains an element of both. Just about the time someone rests in the belief that he/she can do anything, as the old 50s song which says, "though it makes Him sad to see the way we live, He'll always say, 'I forgive,'" along comes a passage as our text which, as the book by William Law is titled, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life.
"Looking unto Jesus," you probably just stopped reading, thinking, "Oh, there he goes again with the same old stuff." But if you read through the Bible regularly be careful you do not say that to the Lord Jesus. We have no more declarations on living the life of faith and obedience in Jesus Christ than what was canonized 17 centuries ago. "Looking unto Jesus," is such a key command in the Bible. And notice that is precedes our text. Whatever the pursuit of holiness/sanctification fully means, whatever the danger of coming, "short of the grace of God," may fully mean, we will walk safely, confidently in, "the fear of the Lord," circumspectly, and rejoicing when our hearts and minds are, "Looking unto Jesus," and nothing or no one else.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I want to, as Enoch, be pleasing to You. Amen.
*********************
News, Commentary: jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
