OBEY THE VOICE OF GOD. Hebrews 12:25-29 When the law was given, the earth shook. The time is coming when both heaven and earth will shake. Those who look for the new heavens and new earth shall not be shaken. We have “a kingdom that cannot be shaken”; an abiding kingdom. Don’t be weary or faint, but have grace – thankfulness – so that our service is well-pleasing to God, constrained by the love of Christ.
The privileges we have through Christ were enumerated in the six previous verses. In the final verses of this chapter, warnings are given to Christians tempted to turn away from the Lord. If that were to happen in light of all we have received, and we disobey the warnings of God who speaks, it will be worse for those who disobey God’s warnings through Christ than for the Israelites who refused God’s warnings at Mt. Sinai. We dare not refuse God when He speaks.
The One whose voice shook Mt. Sinai will shake the whole world so thoroughly that all created things will be removed. Mt. Zion, the kingdom of God within us and in which we are, will remain unshakable, steadfast, and firm. We will always please God when our service to Him is marked by grace and faith. Awe, godly fear, and reverence are evidence of true faith, devotion, and faithfulness.
There will be a time when earth and heaven will flee from the Lord because they will have accomplished their purpose. The things that are not shaken will remain because they are part of the eternal kingdom of God. That moves us, who are part of the kingdom, to minister as He directs us with godly fear. “Our God is a consuming fire” reminds us of His holiness, intolerance of evil, absolute justice, and perfect consistency with His own divine nature. He is perfect in both light and love.
Don’t forget the majesty of God. Esteem and reverence Him. He is holy. He consumes all that is contrary to His nature. Our God is a consuming fire: there is terror for those who despise Him; there is comfort and blessing in that fact for those who yield to God’s love and are open to Him. Fire does more than consume. Fire is warmth, reminding us of God's consistent and constant affection that motivates us to live in and for Him. Fire is also light. When God comes, His light is obvious amidst all the darkness around. Fire is purity because God is the Refiner who brings reality out. Fire is warmth: constant affection that motivates us to live in and for Him. Fire is light: when God comes in His light is obvious. Fire is purity: He is the Refiner who brings reality to light.
When the law was given, the earth shook. The time is coming when both heaven and earth will shake. Those who look for the new heavens and the new earth shall not be shaken. We have “a kingdom that cannot be shaken”; an abiding kingdom. Don’t be weary or faint, but have grace— thankfulness—so that our service is well-pleasing to God, constrained by the love of Christ. Don’t forget the majesty of God. Esteem and reverence Him. He is holy. He consumes all that is contrary to His nature. Our God is a consuming fire: there is terror for those who despise Him; there is comfort and blessing in that fact for those who yield to God’s love and are open to Him.
A sevenfold exhortation gives a good summation of Hebrews chapter twelve: Stripped bodies, v.1. “Lay aside every weight…”: The simile used is the laying off of a garment, as the athlete who lays aside every encumbrance before he runs in a race. Looking eyes, v.2. “Looking unto Jesus…”: The figure indicates the looking away from one object to another. Christ is the Leader and Completer of faith. We have a Perfect Example of faith to follow, and a Perfect Indweller to impart the faith He requires. Lifting hands, v.12. “Lift up the hands…” A loving heart to Christ in remembering how He lifts us up from sin to Himself, will prompt us to have hands for Christ in helping others to Him. Straight paths, v.13. “Make straight paths…” The best way to restore others is to be perfectly sure we are right with God ourselves. We need to be straight ourselves if we want to straighten others. Pursuing feet, v.14. “Follow peace…” Peace is the place that is reached by traveling in the way of holiness. Alert attention, v.15. “Looking diligently…” Not taking supplies is a sign that you need them. To fail the grace of God is to fail to take God in His grace, who never fails.
Good service, v.28. “Serve God acceptably…” To be well-pleasing to God is the highest form of service. Acceptable service has love for its motive, truth for its guide, the Spirit for its power, and God’s glory for its end.
When faith takes root in the lives of God's people, we look to the histories of others and realize we are as equal in God's eyes as those who have gone before us. Our spirits are lifted as we anticipate what is in store. We are motivated by faith to lay aside weights that hinder. We also look above and see Jesus, our perfect Mediator. The exhortation is not to waste our time looking deep within, but to listen to what He says, whose blood cleanses us from all sin.
Raise your hands in prayer and praise to Him who speaks loudly. When the earth shakes by His power and the lost seek shelter, those of faith and hope in Him know we need not fear. We look forward to the time when He appears. Without feet, we follow the path that leads to separation. Holiness in life is the proper designation. Peace is not elusive when, by faith, we pursue it. Serving and worshipping in reverence is what His children do.