Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:13-17
When we consider the early Hebrew Christians, we know that they underwent great persecution from both their Jewish Brethren as well as the Roman Soldiers. They were cautioned by the writer many times to keep their focus on God’s Grace. They were reminded of Jesus who endured unjustly so much more. When the soldiers came to arrest Him, He commanded His apostles to lay aside their swords. Once again in these scriptures, the writer is reminding them that they are to make straight paths, seeking holiness; lest bitterness spring up within them and they lose their way. Bitterness, anger and hostility will destroy them as a people and as a nation from the inside. When we lose sight of the bigger picture, which is our position with Christ; then, we are blind to see the truth though it is right in front of our own eyes.
These were being persecuted on every side; yet, the writer urges them to follow peace with all men and to seek holiness. He goes on in Hebrews 13:1-3 (NIV)
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
They were urged to lift each other up with love and in kindness to transform others.
They were urged to be examples of kindness and holiness. Not to break or defile the laws of the land in which they lived. In fact, it would be through their kindness and obedience that they would spread the gospel further to all the nations.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17
You may look at me and say; but, “you don’t understand because you are white.” Maybe, I don’t fully; so, please help me. I do know that I was in 1979 the only white nurse working on a floor in Birmingham, AL. Because I was white, I was not allowed to sit with the other nurses. In fact, I was to take the blame for any errors made—even if I was off the day it was made. At midnight when my shift ended I was left to walk alone the ½ mile to my car; because, I was not allowed to walk with the other nurses. This went on for 9 months; until, the ward secretary (himself black and gay) looked at all the others and said, “Enough. She is not the problem, you all are!” Why? Because for 9 months he had watched while I humbly, quietly did my job and never complained. I treated him with more kindness and respect than anyone else as I did my job. Similarly, the same happened when I lived in Mexico. I was shunned by all the women who stereotyped me as being a “loose, immoral” person because I was American. Ultimately, I won them over by humbly, graciously living a life that exemplified Christ. I had to be a greater example because I was the minority. They had preconceived prejudicial ideas which were false. So, my behavior over time changed their false ideas, won their respect, and transformed their heart.
Then, came the time that as a widow I returned to Dexter, MO. My children were “Mexican”; which in southeast Missouri at that time was considered the least desirable group. We did receive threatening phone calls telling us to leave town, multiple times. We also had a dead baby pig laid on the trunk of one of our cars warning us to leave. So, I looked at my sons and told them, “People react to what they do not understand or because they do not really know. You will have to show them differently. You must be an example of who a true “Hispanic” can be with class, dignity and grace. You will need to have the best grades, the best behavior and set an example of kindness.” I am very proud to say they did that and became the most popular among not only the other young people; but, also within the church and the community. In doing so, they changed an entire community who to this day see the world more broadly and with more grace than they did before.
So, what are the lessons we are given in Hebrews 12 and 13?
1. Remember Grace—looking to Jesus as our Supreme Example
2. Do Not Allow Bitterness to grow up within you or your community because it leads to destruction, violence and mars your testimony for Christ—being a stumbling block to others finding Christ.
3. Be Law Abiding Citizens Demonstrating Respect for the Authority God has placed over us (Yes, God Places Rulers over us and we are subject to them)
4. Love one another, help one another with humility and Grace
5. If the authority tells us to dishonor God or deny Him; then quietly, humbly “go to jail” rather than to deny Christ; but, do not respond with anger, bitterness and lewd behavior. Do not resist arrest. Do not run and certainly do not fight back.
6. Consider all those who are watching you as the example being set. Your words and actions may change the eternity of one soul. This lifetime is but a split second compared to eternity.
7. Prayer is the key to transforming our nation. It begins with me.
Change begins with me. What can God do with one heart totally devoted to Him?
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. The time is always right to do what is right.The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. —–Martin Luther King, Jr.
[bctt tweet=”If I desire Peace, Love, and Grace from others, it begins with me giving Peace Love and Grace.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Let’s start a new movement of hope, love and harmony. “It Begins with ME”[/tweetthis]
The Song I chose for you today is Grace to Grace
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Photograph used by permission: https://unsplash.com/@kazuend
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.