OUR FATHER WHOSE GRACE MUST BE DILIGENTLY SOUGHT

The writer of the book of Hebrews chapter 12 verses 12 - 17, continuing in the context of the Lord's chastening, charges the reader to keep themselves and those around them encouraged through seasons of chastening so that they keep going forward and so that the discipline of the Lord bring about healing and correction and not a dislocaton of the one being chastened. 

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

The counsel given is that believers should pursue peace with everyone around them and as well, pursue holiness in their own lives becuase holiness is a pre-condition for seeing God.  Believers are encouraged to keep an eye on everyone around them to make sure that roots of bitterness are not growing in anyone's heart because this will bring about defilement in many people and in that state, they become vulnerable to selling their birthright for a pittance the way Esau did.

This warning is given because after selling ones birth-right, there is no pathway to reclaiming it even if it is tearfully sought.

Amen.

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