Letter to the Hebrews Volume 164

 We Believers Must Renew Our Spiritual Energy Part 2

Hebrews 12:13-14 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: KJV

The writer of Hebrews wanted those Hebrew converts who had just been turned away from  all the religious rites, rituals, and regiment of the Law of Moses to that which is far better and greater and that being a personal relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ to make solid, strong, and sure there newly found relationship with Christ Jesus our Lord and to not turn out of the way by reverting back to the old way of the Law of Moses, likewise by not living in such a sinful and disobedient manner to wreck their own walk with the Lord Jesus and also before other believers that could potentially cause them to stumble in their Christian walk. The writer of Hebrews declares these words to them and to we Christians today and of every era and generation, "And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." (Hebrews 12:13) (KJV). The English words 'straight' and 'paths' are translated by the Greek words orthos and trochia respectively, the first meaning erect (figuratively honest), or level or direct: - straight, upright and the second meaning (figuratively) a course of conduct: - path. The Christian life is like a car or truck traveling down a long stretch of highway that is straight for the most part, but periodically there are twist and turns and sharp curves that the driver must navigate in order to reach his or her destination securely, safely, and soundly. However, there are exits along the way where the driver can change course or direction which could cause delay, disturbance, and damage to his or her plan of action. Likewise, we the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ have a highway to heaven that we are traveling and we must stay on the path and avoid the exits and detours we sometimes take that cause us trouble in our sojourn and pilgrimage. We are always bombarded with pot holes and pits (laid by the devil as we travel) to fall into, but we must be watchful along our journey to avoid as many of these traps laid for us by the devil, as the Apostle Peter warns us to be with these words, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9) (KJV). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of Hebrews 12:13, "That is, Take the straight path that is before you, do not go in crooked or rough ways, where are stones, briers, and thorns, by which you will be inevitably lamed, and so totally prevented from proceeding in the way; whereas, if you go in the even, proper path, though you have been wounded by getting into a wrong way, that which was wounded will be healed by moderate, equal exercise, all impediments being removed. The application of all this to a correct, holy deportment in religious life, is both natural and easy."

Next the writer of Hebrews affirms something the Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:18 and that would be to be at peace with all men, even though this is only possible on our half of the equation because we cannot control the behavior of other men in the world, however, just like the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:18 we find these next words written by the writer of Hebrews here to the new Hebrew converts and to we Christians today and of every era and generation, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" (Hebrews 12:14) (KJV). The English word 'follow' which begins this verse of Scripture is translated by the Greek word diōkō which means to pursue or to press toward. The English word 'peace' is translated by the Greek word eirēnē meaning quietness or rest. It is the will of God the Father for His sons and daughters to live in this state or mindset or condition always and at all times within ourselves, but He also wants us to live so with the rest of the world and that even being those who hate us and want to hurt and even kill us. This cannot be done in our own effort, but we must receive power from God the Holy Spirit in order to live so like this in our sojourn here on the earth. It is like a hunter pursing the wild game he or she is trying to get, we must pursue peace within ourselves and with the rest of the world with this same passion, as the Apostle Paul declared in another place to the believers in Rome with these words, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (Romans 14:19) (KJV). The writer of Hebrews adds on to the follwing after peace with doing likewise with 'holiness' and this English word is translated by the Greek word hagiasmos which means properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: - holiness, sanctification. In other words, we know that within our own selves there is nothing good or holy at all, however, God is Holy just as the Apostle John declares with these words, "This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:5-7) (KJV). It is not the will of God and His love for us to see us remain in the same filthy condition wherewith He found us when He saved us and made us His sons and daughters. He wanted us to come to Him just as we are in order that He and He alone could then re-make us in the image of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, again as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church with these words, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) (KJV). This is what our pursuit must be and without this eager pursuit none of us will see the Lord Jesus in all His wonder and majesty. This does not ever mean we cease to belong to Him, for once He births us into His family we belong to Him for all eternity, however, we will not have Him show Himself to us while we continue in sin and disobedience. The Holy Spirit/the Spirit of the Lord is grieved within us and will be silent within us until we confess and forsake our sin, as the Proverbs declares with these words, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13) (KJV). Also our Lord Jesus said these words Himself in the Gospel of Matthew, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8) (KJV). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of Hebrews 12:14, "Cultivate, as far as you possibly can, a good understanding, both with Jews and Gentiles. Ειρηνην διωκετε, pursue peace with the same care, attention, and diligence, as beasts do their game; follow it through all places; trace it through all winding circumstances; and have it with all men, if you can with a safe conscience. Τον ἁγιασμον· That state of continual sanctification, that life of purity and detachment from the world and all its lusts, without which detachment and sanctity no man shall see the Lord - shall never enjoy His presence in the world of blessedness. To see God, in the Hebrew phrase, is to enjoy Him; and without holiness of heart and life this is impossible. No soul can be fit for heaven that has not suitable dispositions for the place."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…