Hebrews 12:14–17
“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.
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.”
Deep divisions
In these last 16 months, we have gone through things as individuals and as a culture that have impacted us in ways that we have yet to realize. One of the things that this season has revealed is some deep divisions in our culture.
In the stresses and challenges of the pandemic, opinions have become more entrenched. Not surprisingly, as happens in families—that includes church families—is that there are brothers and sisters in Jesus who differ in their opinions and ideas. In fact, people who love Jesus have been on opposite sides on several issues relating to the pandemic.
While this was going on in the culture, it was being played out in the lives and relationships of our church family. Some of you have lost friendships. Some of you have seen your family divided and fragmented over these issues.
Hebrews was written to 1st century Christians who lived in a divided, polarized world. While their issues differ from ours, the issue of good human relationships is the same as in our setting.
To put this passage in its context, Hebrews 12 begins with the metaphor of the Christian life as a race where we throw off everything that can hinder us and the sin that so easily trips us up. If you’re running the race, how you process relationships with others and what you do when people hurt you will significantly affect how you run and how far you’ll go.
It’s noteworthy that the author begins with the issue of relationships. It points to the reality that some of them were struggling in their relationships, and it was affecting their progress.
In verses 14–17 there are two things to pursue, a warning, and an Old Testament character whose life serves as a warning for us.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone.
Another translation uses the phrase, “pursue peace with everyone”. To “pursue” or to “make every effort” means to expend energy in this quest for peace between me and another.
Before we get to what that looks like, I think it’s good to see what it’s not. To live in peace with everyone doesn’t mean:
- That I don’t have opinions or preferences.
- That I agree with everyone’s opinions.
- That I never engage in disagreement.
- That I avoid people with whom I disagree or have conflict.
So, what does “peace with everyone” looks like? In Romans 12:18 Paul writes, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Obviously, if someone doesn’t want a peaceful relationship you can’t make it happen. But you make every effort—you pursue it. At some point, you may have to relax your pursuit if there is an unwillingness on the part of the other person.
The goal is a robust peace, and that may look like this: “we disagree but our unity in Christ is bigger than any issue or opinion that will divide us.”
So how do I pursue peace? I’m grateful for the resources of Lifeway and their 5 Tactics that are useful for the pursuit of peace.
1. Deal with conflict early.
The pursuit of peace begins with the honesty and the courage to recognize that peace is being threatened in a relationship.
When you become aware of a lack of peace, make it both your business and your initiative to pursue peace. Deal with it early and don’t let it fester. Time doesn’t resolve it.
2. Practice restraint, especially with your tongue.
I love the practical counsel of James 1:19, “that every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” Self-expression has been elevated to an unhealthy place in our culture. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that it’s ok to have opinions but sharing them when no one’s asking is often unhelpful.
3. Prepare for a long journey.
1 Peter 3:11, says, “Seek peace and pursue it.” When Peter instructs us to seek peace, it’s because sometimes it’s hard to find.
There are times when peace with another seems like it’ll be impossible to find. Peacemaking is at times a process that requires ongoing effort and humility and the work of the Spirit on both sides.
4. Take the first step.
In Romans 12:20 Paul writes, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he’s thirsty, give him something to drink.” Ask God to show you what simple first step you can take for the benefit of someone with whom you are in conflict.
5. Trust God to settle the injustice you’ve suffered.
All of us will be hurt or wounded by people along the way. Through others’ words, because of selfishness, every one of us will experience injustice. Of course, you confront it, and you hope for an apology and restitution. But if it doesn’t happen, entrust them to God.
In 1 Peter 2:23, he writes this of Jesus, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to Him who judges justly.” When I’m hurt, retaliation and retribution are off the table. I give it to God. Pursuing peace takes courage and humility.
Make every effort…to be holy.
There’s a famous quote by theologian F.F. Bruce: “Christian holiness is not a matter of painstaking conformity to the individual precepts of an extended law code; it is rather a question of the Holy Spirit’s producing his fruit in the life. Reproducing those graces which were seen in perfection in the life of Christ.”
Holiness is not about focusing on avoiding bad things. It’s allowing the Spirit to work in your life to become more like Jesus. A good start is the nine qualities of the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22–23, “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” The Spirit will produce those in growing measure as you yield to the Spirit.
A warning
Verse 15 says, “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.”
As people who have experienced God’s grace, we are called to extend the same grace we’ve received, to others. Think about God’s grace. Grace means “unmerited favour.” It’s favour that God pours out on me that I didn’t earn, deserve, or work for.
To not fall short of God’s grace means in part, that I extend grace to those who hurt, offended, or disappointed me. It means a whole lot more than that but, in this context, it has to do with pursuing peace and rejecting bitterness.
Bitterness is a sin, but it seems to stand in a special category because he calls it a bitter root. Every plant starts with a single seed that develops roots and grows.
Bitterness always begins with small seeds. It usually starts with someone doing something that offends you. And it doesn’t matter if they intended it or not—you get angry.
What happens next is that you pull up the root through grace and forgiveness or you internalize the anger, and you allow it to fester. As the roots grow deeper you fertilize it with resentment, and it doesn’t take long, for that root to be well established.
All bitterness starts with hurt. So, when you are hurt by someone, here’s the warning, “see to it that you don’t miss the grace of God.” And if you don’t respond with grace, it will take root and the longer it grows, the deeper it grows.
You determine whether an offence takes root in your heart. You determine how long and how deep that root becomes.
It’s been said that bitterness is one of the hardest sins to see in the mirror. We feel justified in our bitterness, and in that justification, the roots grow and grow. And bitter roots always produce bitter fruits. Bitterness will always show up and when it does it causes trouble and defiles many.
An Old Testament example
In verses 16 and 17 the writer references Esau as an example of one who refused to live in peace—who turned away from holiness and who lived with a bitter root.
If you know the story of Esau and his twin brother Jacob, you know that Esau made some bad decisions and was taken advantage of by his mother and his twin brother. The pivotal event of his life was when he sold his birthright for a simple meal. In a moment of carelessness, he gave up something of great spiritual value to satisfy the momentary desire for a bowl of stew.
The writer here calls him godless—not because he didn’t believe in the existence of God but because he made light of spiritual values.
Later, he had huge regrets and lived with bitterness towards his brother. The warning from Esau’s life is “see to it that you don’t trade spiritual things for a moment of earthly pleasure.” Listen to the regret of Esau. Learn from his experience.
— Notes from Pastor Marvin Wojda’s sermon on July 25th, 2021
CLICK HERE to watch the Hebrews 12 (part 3) sermon on YouTube.