#DailyDevotion Do Not Ignore The Mercy, Kindness, Grace, Love & Forgiveness Of Christ
#DailyDevotion Do Not Ignore The Mercy, Kindness, Grace, Love & Forgiveness Of Christ
Heb. 12 25See that you don't refuse to listen to Him Who is speaking. If the others didn't escape when they refused to listen to Him warning them on earth, much less will we if we turn away from Him Who warns us from heaven. 26Then His voice shook the earth. But now He has promised: “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.” 27The words "once more” show clearly He will take away what is shaken, seeing He made it, leaving what isn't shaken as permanent. 28Since we have received a kingdom that can't be shaken, let us thank God and so worship in a way that pleases Him, with fear and awe, 29because our God is a consuming fire.
This section continues the comparison of the previous section. If I may speak on it out of order, those Israelites who heard God speak from the mountain the words of the covenant didn't escape when they turned to idolatry when Moses went up the mountain. They were severely punished. When they broke the commands the LORD had given them again and again in the wilderness God punished them.
Christ, seated at the right hand of God, has warned us of the coming day of judgment. While on earth He called us to repent and now at the right hand of God He continues to warn us of the coming judgment through His apostles. More than the commandments and the call to repent of our sins, He has and is calling us to turn to Him to receive grace, mercy, kindness, love and forgiveness. To refuse to listen to Christ Jesus', to His warnings, but more importantly, to His proclamation of good news is the height of rebelliousness and ingratitude. It is no use feigning humility when we reject His love, mercy, kindness, grace and forgiveness. That is nothing but the stink of pride. On top of that, it is calling Him a liar who knows what we need and calling Him ignorant. We will not escape His judgment if we reject His grace and mercy. Our "good works" mean nothing if they are not born out of faith in Him and His forgiveness. As Peter writes in his second epistle ch. 2, "21It would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than to learn it and then turn their backs on the holy commandment that was given them." So then, stay faithful to Jesus and trust in His promise of grace, mercy, love, kindness and forgiveness.
Verse 26 is likely referring to the following passages from the Old Testament: Isa. 13:13; Joe. 3:16; Hag. 2:6-7, Hag. 2:22. The earth had shook a number of times when the LORD spoke to the Israelites. Now, He looks to the Last Day and not only the earth will be shaken but the heavens as well. Everything that can be shaken will be taken away. What isn't shaken at that time will remain. He tells us what is not shaken, the kingdom of God and of Christ. This is what our LORD gives to us. This is the reward of our faith in Christ Jesus. Knowing all the deceitful pleasures of life will be shakened and removed, let us not have any attachments to them. Let us not abandon our faith in Christ for fleeting pleasures. We have the joy of the kingdom of God to look forward to receiving.
Then we should worship our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ with thanksgiving and worship that pleases Him. What sort of worship pleases Him? Worship that says back to Him what He has said to us. Worship that glorifies Jesus as the One who justifies us and gives us His grace and mercy. Worship that is genuine and sincere is what He desires--not just the outward act. Our God is a consuming fire. Everything that is not born of faith is purged away and we are made pure.|
Merciful God and Father, give us such faith so what with pure and unfeigned hearts, we may truly worship You with thanksgiving. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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