Are you familiar with oxymorons? They are figures of speech containing words that seem to contradict each other. They're often referred to as a contradiction in terms. Some common oxymorons include terms like jumbo shrimp, deafening silence, passive aggressive, and seriously funny. We use oxymorons regularly in our everyday speech.
I couldn't help but think this week, as we studied through this section of Hebrews chapter 12, that perhaps I had uncovered a new oxymoron in the pages of scripture. In verse 15, the author uses some paradoxical language when he writes, "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God..." This begs the question, "How does one go about obtaining that which is freely given?" We typically define grace as a free gift from God, and yet the author of Hebrews here seems to put forth the idea that we are in some sense required to strive to obtain it. This doesn't sound like a gift to me. It sounds like work! Is he wrong? Is there a contradiction here in the scriptures? Do I earn God's favor on my own merit or is it truly gracious? These are important questions that strike at the heart of the gospel.
One of my favorite things about studying the Bible is digging into the words. We all agree that words matter, but nowhere is this more apparent than in our study of the scriptures. The challenge we face every time we approach God's word is to uncover the meaning of the text. Everyone agrees that the human authors of scripture wrote to convey a message with meaning. In many cases that meaning is explicit and clearly defined. In others it is veiled in symbolism or poetic language and requires some interpretation from the reader. Regardless though, there can only ever be one meaning...that which was intended. And when trying to derive the meaning, the words play an important role. How does each word serve to contribute and combine to convey that meaning? That is the goal at hand for us.
So, how do we "fail to obtain" something that is by definition free? The answer is simple, we reject it. By declining to take possession of a gift, we fail to obtain it. So if someone offers me a gift and my response is, "Thanks, but no thanks." then the gift serves no benefit for me. Despite the offer, it is not mine.
But why would someone decline something that is free? A free meal, free money, a free house, or car, or vacation...most of us would gladly accept such an offer. In fact, for most of us, the fact that something is free is incentive enough for us to accept it...regardless of what it is. I must confess I myself have accepted a number of free offers over the years that otherwise were really of little to no interest to me. These are the stuff of future garage sales and garbage dumps...and yet, we gladly accept. So, to even think of passing on a free gift is beyond our understanding. And yet everyday untold numbers of people reject the free offer of salvation through Christ.
We all get that there is a difference between those who are inside and those who are outside of the kingdom, and that difference is solely rooted in our response to the gospel. But is this all that the author of Hebrews has in view here? I tend to think not.
I think the point he is making here is that receiving salvation from Christ is a free gift, but it isn't simply enough to say we desire it, rather we must wholly accept it in a way that produces fruit in our lives. Fruit like peace and holiness, which he mentions just before this in verse 14. What I mean is, we can accept something for free in a half-hearted way...like me with those free offers I accepted, but later tossed in the trash. It may look like I obtained those things, but did I really? Did they have any value to me? Is accepting something only to quickly discard it later really all that different from just rejecting it in the first place?
A lot of people reject Christianity and the gospel of salvation; but a lot of people also accept it in ways that don't lead to genuine regeneration. Maybe they are duped by a counterfeit version. Or maybe they choose to accept it in piecemeal fashion, where they keep what they like and get rid of the rest. Or maybe they like the free parts, but quickly change their mind when they discover that there are strings attached or a price to pay...like a free trial version. Regardless of why they respond the way that they do, at the end of the day, if accepting the gift was really all that it took, there would be a lot of "so-called" or "fair-weather" Christians hanging out in Heaven. Put that doesn't seem to be the description of the Christian life we see in the scriptures or that was taught by Jesus himself.
We are commanded here to "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God..." This means there is work to be done, both in our own lives and in the work of evangelism. First we have to keep constant watch over our own lives. It is easy to convince ourselves that things are ok. It's easy to rationalize and justify our sin. It's easy to become distracted. It's easy to take things for granted. These pitfalls lie around every corner. We must be diligent in keeping watch.
Moreover, we must constantly be striving to share the gospel with others. This isn't just as simple as passing out free samples. It's not enough to simply offer the gift, but the offer should come with a willingness to eagerly seek the well-being of the recipient. It's easy to say, "I tried..." but is that all we are called to? Or is our calling to sacrificially give of ourselves in lovingly sharing the good news of Christ and building relationships so that we can disciple others with the truth of the gospel?
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 34 - Peace & Holiness
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. How do peace and holiness work together?
2. How peaceful is it where you live?
3. What "root of bitterness" has crept into your life?
Next week's lesson: Hebrews 12:18-24
Write a Comment
Comments for this post have been disabled.