Revealing God to Others
Opening Prayer
Lord, prepare my heart to come into Your holy presence today as I study Your Word.
Read Hebrews 12:14–29
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Consider your life. What might prevent others from seeing or meeting God in and through you?We are made holy by Christ’s sacrifice (Heb. 10:10). But we must still “make every effort” to be holy—motivated by love, not by law.
To “make every effort” suggests a dogged intent to keep in step with Jesus (Gal. 5:23–26). It means meditating on Scripture and letting it shape our words, choices, actions, behavior, use of resources and how we relate to others—whatever the circumstance or their response.
Holiness does not isolate one from the world with irrelevant piety, but influences the world with its robust, godly living. Holiness molds a heart that is quick to confess then realign to Jesus, and imbues us with the riches of a God-centered life. Moreover, holiness reveals the reality of God’s character, priorities, ways and purpose to others.
Apply
Read and reflect on 1 Timothy 4:7b–8a. How might the blessings of a holy life inspire your training in godliness?
Closing prayer
Thank You, God, that Your kingdom is unshakeable. I praise You with reverence and awe.
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