Hebrews 12:15-17 — First you, then others!

READ THIS: Hebrews 12:15-17

15 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. 16 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. 17 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.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

*Quick note: These verses come directly after a whole chat on focusing on our own behavior and making sure we are walking with God in his holiness. So that's what comes first!*

There are three things these verses tell us to look out for in other believer's walks with God, highlighted above in yellow, orange, and green. So, first, the yellow. When people don't realize that they are given grace by God, that they are forgiven, sometimes they can become bitter and hard against God and, honestly, against themselves. It affects how they behave to the point that it makes them act out and encourages others to misbehave as well. But, if we constantly are reminding believers that they are forgiven and that they can turn back to God, that bitterness has a harder time taking root. The orange is something that sometimes we think just our parents care about, but it is something God cares deeply about, and it is better explained in these verses from 1 Corinthians 6. 

The green is the last one, and it is the one the author spends the most time on. Esau got hungry one day, and gave his whole inheritance to his brother in exchange for food. What does that have to do with being godless? Well, we are given a choice every day. We can hold onto our inheritance of life forever with God, or we can choose to set that aside for something that we want right now. When we are full of God, we want to choose God. When we aren't full of God, we want the things that aren't Him, like gossip, hate, jealousy, etc. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Why do you think there is so much time spent talking about Esau? How is our situation similar and different from Esau's? (Look at verse 17)
 
2. Which of the three highlights above is something you see your friends who know Jesus struggle with the most? Why do you think this devo is making a point about focusing on friends who know Jesus and not just friends?

TRY THIS:

Be on the lookout this week for those three areas in your own life and in the friends you thought of in question 2. Ask God for wisdom in what to do when you see the yellow, orange, and green in your life and in the life of fellow believers! I challenge you to ask someone for help if you're not sure what to do!

SONG OF THE WEEK:
 
This song helps point out the longing we can feel for a time when we don't struggle with sin. As you sing this song today, talk to God about the things you're choosing over eternity right now, and ask His help to choose eternity now!





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