Speaking a Better Word

Hebrews 12:14-20

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

These verses speak a better word to the bitter root. The bitterness speaks of both the consequences of sin for the sinner as well as those affected by it. The prodigal son's older brother probably felt bitter towards his younger brother for running off and doing whatever he wanted. Meanwhile, the older brother went nowhere and served in his place faithfully according to Luke 15:11-32. Yet, the father welcomed the little brother back with open arms and equal treatment despite what he had done. Imagine the pain the prodigal son felt for having done thus and for having experienced such loss. The consequences of sin can be seen in the bitter waters of Marah, a place without drinkable water and incapable of sustaining life; to remedy this situation Moses threw a tree into the waters in Exodus 1523-25. Proverbs 4:23 compares the heart to a spring of water from which flow the issues of life. No one can send forth waters both bitter and sweet says James 3:11. Therefore, such people need the cross of Christ thrown into their lives to sweeten them.

He makes life livable not only for the sinner but also those for those affected by them. Such a bitter root spreads, causes trouble, and defiles many. It is likened to the creep of false teachers into silly women's houses who also defile many according to 2 Timothy 3:6. For those who either "fall short of" God's grace or possess a bitter root, Deuteronomy 29:18 speaks to you. The first part of the text speaks of the falling away. Cross references make it clear these who fell were not of Christ. For all who come to him he will in no wise cast out; neither will he lose any of them nor will any pluck them out of his hand according to John 10:30. So on one hand, let no one be an unbeliever; on the other, let no one who believes in him serve something or someone other than God. Verse fourteen is a shouting verse: "without holiness, no one will see the Lord." We are clothed in his righteousness because we have put on Christ. When Christ died and rose again, he gave me his righteousness; by the act of belief in Christ, baptism, and communion I am saying such things. Thereby I so identify with Christ's life in me until he comes as in 1 Corinthians 11:26. Therefore, both the peace and the holiness are not of us but Christ's worked out in us.

See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

These verses say what they say. There are people who would trade the eternal, for the promises of Christ are yes and amen in 2 Corinthians 1:20, for the right now. In the first part of the word yes, we see the eternal state of the believer; in the second part of the word amen we see the eternal place of the believer. Such is important to remember to prevent any life crises faced from draining you of your reserves and strength. If Jesus called you, he can also keep you.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death."

These verses show that the former must give place to the latter. The former glory was veiled, seen through a glass darkly, and the latter seen face to face knowing even as we are known in 1 Corinthians 13:12. The dispensation of Moses said no one could be made righteous by the works of the law. It was one of judgment where without holiness no one would see the Lord as in Hebrews 12:14. It was one of condemnation under the eternal authority of God. It was sinners in the hands of an angry God. And he was very, very angry. Even Moses had no sense of security in the holy presence of God and trembled with fear for he recognized his own lack. The latter dispensation is one of sonship whereby we cry abba Father in Romans 8:15. We are the church of the first-borne whose names are written in Heaven in Hebrews 12:23-24. We find comfort in this judge because he is one known personally by his children. We are now "the spirits of the righteous made perfect."

The situation may not be worked out in the natural, but in the supernatural it is already done by faith on earth as it is in heaven. It had to be worked out in Heaven before it could be worked out on earth. On earth is a mirror image of the kingdom of Heaven. There is also an equal but opposite image of the kingdom of Hell under the Mosaic law in the text above. The new covenant is unlike the one made with the former based in the law of the flesh. Jesus, the mediator, made all this possible. The glory of the former is unlike that of the latter. Jesus speaks a better word than that of Abel. The blood of Abel spoke of the judgement to come because of his righteousness and place in Christ; the blood of Christ spoke of eternal victory over it all: sin, death, and finally Satan. Jesus is an eternal testament to the power of God for salvation; he makes all things work together for our good. The purposes of Christ for us are seen in verses twenty-five through twenty-eight whom Satan eternally serves.