Hebrews 12:14-29

Once again it's not about what you do, it's about your intentions behind what you do. As Christians, we are called to live a life of peace that points to God. Are you fighting with someone over a silly issue? If so, how are you showing the love of God? There is a difference between pointing out an injustice or problematic issue & fighting. For example, I recently had an issue with the track team practicing on the field during a high school soccer game. I send an e-mail asking why this was allowed when it seemed disrespectful & distracting to the soccer players & unsafe for the track members who may get hit with a soccer ball. The administration replied that this was policy since we have limited practice space. Now, I can get into a war of words, get angry, & start spewing back - or I can respectfully accept the response. I have already stated my concerns, and the administration of our school sees no harm in this issue & in fact can show that other small schools have the same policy. So, who am I to continue to argue? What benefit comes from my continued arguing? Will my witness as a Christian benefit or be harmed by my determination to get my way?

The author of Hebrews points out two other examples. The first was Esau. Isaac's son & Jacob's twin brother. Esau acted out of emotion. He sold his birthright - his inheritance as the first born - to his brother simply because he was too lazy to get himself his own dinner. Later on, he tried to get it back through manipulation of his father's sympathy. Second, the Israelites arrived at Mt. Sinai about three months after they left slavery in Egypt. During this three months, they complained - a lot! They had witnessed God's power in Egypt with the plagues and at the Red Sea when it parted. God lead them through the desert with a pillar of cloud during the day & a pillar of fire at night. They were thirsty, He provided water. They were hungry, He provided manna. They wanted meat, He provided quail. He protected them from harm & met their every need. Yet, they still responded to Him in fear when He spoke to them from the mountain. After all He had done for them, they still didn't know Him.

But you - when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you invite Him into your heart. You begin a personal relationship with the Perfect Mediator. You receive the Holy Spirit to help train you & guide you in this relationship. And you receive eternal life. This world will one day end, but not you. You will live with Jesus forever. So, don't live in fear. Don't let your emotions rule you. Trust in God and practice self-control. Live in peace.