how do you fail the grace of God?

Amanah · #1 09-10-2011, 11:00 AM

what does this passage mean when it is talking about holiness, failing the grace of God, and a root of bitterness?

Hebrews 12:14-16

King James Version (KJV)

14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

It seems to be saying that if you harbor a bitter spirit, you could wind up selling your birthright.

acerrak · #2 09-10-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanah

what does this passage mean when it is talking about holiness, failing the grace of God, and a root of bitterness?

Hebrews 12:14-16

King James Version (KJV)

14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

It seems to be saying that if you harbor a bitter spirit, you could wind up selling your birthright.

the book of hebrew was dealing with jews who wanted to forsake Jesus and go back to the law.

you will find through out this book the author is doing his best to make direct parallels to the law of moses and how Christ fullfills these roles

here the jews was the first Children of God so to speak, but they was on the verge of selling off their inheritance.

They came to the knowledge of Jesus and How God has provided salvation through him, but even though these where witnesses to no doubt miracles of the time. they was falling away and going back to the law.

thus he compared them to being like esau who sold his inheritance for some materialistic substance that really could not save them.

Judaizers had problem with things such as circumscision, not keeping the traditions etc that was no longer a foundation. as we see paul constantly dealing with this in his epistles.

So the author of hebrew makes a contrast that your bitterness tword Christians converts who dont have to circumsize or follow the traditions of the elders, is making you forsake the grace that has saved you, and instead you are trying to re-substitute the laws and customs that God delivered you from

Arphaxad · #3 09-10-2011, 01:20 PM

I think it means that if you turn away from Christ than a root of bitterness would result from rejecting the new covenant, like Esau rejected his birthright. The phrase "root of bitterness" referring not to bitterness itself as the troubling root, but to a root of trouble that is bitter. The original readers of Hebrews were in danger of returning to the law of Moses. If they traded the grace of God for the works system of the law, they would discover it to be a bitter root that would touble and defile many.

RandyWayne · #4 09-10-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acerrak

the book of hebrew was dealing with jews who wanted to forsake Jesus and go back to the law.

you will find through out this book the author is doing his best to make direct parallels to the law of moses and how Christ fullfills these roles

here the jews was the first Children of God so to speak, but they was on the verge of selling off their inheritance.

They came to the knowledge of Jesus and How God has provided salvation through him, but even though these where witnesses to no doubt miracles of the time. they was falling away and going back to the law.

thus he compared them to being like esau who sold his inheritance for some materialistic substance that really could not save them.

Judaizers had problem with things such as circumscision, not keeping the traditions etc that was no longer a foundation. as we see paul constantly dealing with this in his epistles.

So the author of hebrew makes a contrast that your bitterness tword Christians converts who dont have to circumsize or follow the traditions of the elders, is making you forsake the grace that has saved you, and instead you are trying to re-substitute the laws and customs that God delivered you from

And here I always thought it was a direct commandment to obey your pastor in all things and follow every conviction he may dream up.

Glad to know I'm out from under THAT rock. lol

houston · #5 09-10-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

And here I always thought it was a direct commandment to obey your pastor in all things and follow every conviction he may dream up.

...the law and the prophets...

Cindy · #6 09-10-2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acerrak

the book of hebrew was dealing with jews who wanted to forsake Jesus and go back to the law.

you will find through out this book the author is doing his best to make direct parallels to the law of moses and how Christ fullfills these roles

here the jews was the first Children of God so to speak, but they was on the verge of selling off their inheritance.

They came to the knowledge of Jesus and How God has provided salvation through him, but even though these where witnesses to no doubt miracles of the time. they was falling away and going back to the law.

thus he compared them to being like esau who sold his inheritance for some materialistic substance that really could not save them.

Judaizers had problem with things such as circumscision, not keeping the traditions etc that was no longer a foundation. as we see paul constantly dealing with this in his epistles.

So the author of hebrew makes a contrast that your bitterness tword Christians converts who dont have to circumsize or follow the traditions of the elders, is making you forsake the grace that has saved you, and instead you are trying to re-substitute the laws and customs that God delivered you from

Cindy · #7 09-10-2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arphaxad

I think it means that if you turn away from Christ than a root of bitterness would result from rejecting the new covenant, like Esau rejected his birthright. The phrase "root of bitterness" referring not to bitterness itself as the troubling root, but to a root of trouble that is bitter. The original readers of Hebrews were in danger of returning to the law of Moses. If they traded the grace of God for the works system of the law, they would discover it to be a bitter root that would touble and defile many.