Hebrews 12:12-17

Hebrews 12:12-17 continues in the thread of running the race with endurance. Pastor Lance affirms that peace with God happens when we step into right relationship with the Lord on His terms. If we truly lived as He has called us to live, believers could revolutionize the church, the nation, and the world. We must be careful of what we allow to influence us - what we take in and what we are sharing with others. If Christ isn't the driving force of our lives, this race is going to be a very challenging one to run. As we pursue sanctification and holiness, we must separate from ungodly influences. Believers' lives ought to reflect what Jesus has done for us...how powerful the impact of a life surrendered to the Lord! Pastor Lance outlines the ways that people can run from God's grace: stop confessing at the throne, stop reading His Word, stop meeting with other saints, stop serving and allowing God's gifts to be used, and to stop giving. He then goes into depth on how bitterness grows where grace is denied. In the example given by Esau, we see that living outside of God's grace causes bitterness to grow, which saps joy, hurts emotionally, defiles, divides, and can even negatively affect an individual's health. Esau put his physical desires before God's plan, loving all that the world had to offer, rather than the blessings given by the Father. Are you pursuing peace with God, and allowing His grace to drive bitterness from your life?