Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Unwed Mothers

Hebrews 12-Part 4
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 12:17


LET IT GLOW

I know several women who were unwed mothers as a teenager. Later, they regretted having done this sin, but still loved the child. Daily they faced the consequences of their sin, but it didn't change the situation. Esau's situation is similar. How?

In verse 16, there are words words used:  For fear of (lest) being like Esau, a fornicator (immoral), or a profane person (ungodly).

Profanity involves more than one's speech; it's the quality of one's life. Esau sold his birthright to his brother, Jacob, for a bowl of stew. To profane is to regard something as unhallowed, to make something sacred to be common. Every Christian must beware lest he count as unimportant what God considers sacred. (Falwell)

In his Bible study Guide on Hebrews II., Charles Swindoll says:
Esau came in from hunting and was hungry. His brother was cooking a savory stew. Esau embraced, and acted upon, the worldly mentality: buy whatever you need to satisfy yourself; sell whatever's necessary to find pleasure.
Worldliness is a mentality that discounts or denies Christ as Lord. It is a secular magnet that influences our minds, appeals to our emotions, and weakens our wills so that we live our lives without Christ as our Lord. the whole world system as we know it today lies in the power of Satan and his forces. Insstead of tolerating the Esau syndrome, run the race with endurance, fix our focus on Christ, meditate on Him, pursue peace with all people, be different, separaated and different, care about others running the race, show grace, don't let bitterness take root.

Which is my choice-worldliness or godliness?


LET IT GROW
Am I a  common person who lives for the world and not for God?  Esau despised his birthright and sold it to Jacob, and he missed the blessing because it was given to Jacob.

What sins will rob us of the enabling of God's grace? Lack of spiritual diligence, bitterness against othesr, sexual immorality, and living for the world and the flesh? God's grace doesn't fail, but we can fail to depend on God's grace.
Wiersbe says for us to take a look-look back at the bad example of Esau, look up for the glory of the heavenly city, and look ahead for an unshakable kingdom.
Where am I looking?

The result in Esau's life was that afterward, when he wanted that blessing of Abraham and God, he was rejected. He repented with tears, but the situation was irrevocable. (Falwell)

Esau desired God's blessings, but he did not want God. He regretted what he had done, but he did not repent. Esau is an example of those who willfullly sin against God and who are given no seond chance because of their exposure to the truth and their advanced state of hardness. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

At a later time, Esau realized how foolish he had been. with tears he tried to reverse the transaction. He found no place for repentance. The consesquences for imbibing worldly thinking were irreversible.
(Swindoll)

In the end, only God looks upon the heart. He knew whether Esau truly repented or was just sorry for the conquences of his sin. I leave that in His hands. However, sometimes people get so deep into their mudhole and pit of sin that they don't feel remorse, thus not repenting. On the other hand, some people do repent, but still suffer the conquences of their sin; some seeing it daily. That's when God's grace sees them through with His love.

Do I prefer the gratification of the flesh to the blessings of God? Do I resist the rod of God's discipline callingme to repentance? Do I have faults and follies that need correction by the Father? Does my faith find grace?

LET IT GO

Don't make something profane; keep sacred things sacred.

Watch my actions and words.

Avoid worldliness and cling to Jesus.

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