Hebrews

Jews converted to Christianity.

To encourage these Jewish converts not to return to their former Jewish faith.

The superiority of Jesus over all things.

By our faithfulness.

It is a transitional device used by the author. The author is stating that the examples from Hebrews 11 are to be considered as he moves forward with his encouragement of faithfulness.

A witness testifies to something he or she has knowledge of (e.g., testifying at a trial), or to ensure that something is carried out (e.g., witnessing the signing of a document). The writer is encouraging Jewish Christians to pay attention to the testimonials of former saints so as to be encouraged to live faithfully now.

An encumbrance is not necessarily a sin. These are events or situations that cause us to lose focus on the important goal of a faithful life in service to God. These are not necessarily sinful in themselves, and may in fact, be good and necessary. However, we must not let them keep us from living a holy and faithful life before God. Therefore, we should use everything about our lives to strengthen our faithfulness and bring glory to God.

The writer uses both the concept of encumbrance and sin in the context of running a race. He communicates that we must put off those things that weigh us down or prevent us from completing our race.

Our Christian lives are marathons, not sprints. The examples of Hebrews chapter eleven demonstrate lives that were full of challenges and contradictions. Sometimes the saints mentioned were weakened in their faithfulness, but over time they overcame their obstacles and were successful in finishing their lives faithfully serving God. We are encouraged, by their examples, to endure the marathon of a faithful life. We learn from others to imitate the qualities that they presented and avoid the weaknesses that sometimes hindered their faithfulness.

Jesus is our ultimate "witness". We follow His teachings and examples. He is the source of our salvation and the fulfilment of our hope. All the others presented in Hebrews 11, and the countless numbers not mentioned, looked forward but never witnessed the deliverance of Jesus. He endured everything so as to bring us into the presence of God. He lived a pure and holy life, free from sin. He lived a life faithful to God the Father. God, in His infinite grace, recognizes our weaknesses and therefore accepts the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf.

Living holy and faithful lives requires discipline. Discipline can mean punishment to correct undesired behavior. It can also mean training to prevent undesired behavior or facilitate good behavior. God disciplined (punished) those of old for their sins and will discipline those today not living holy and faithful lives. He often teaches and encourages us to do His will by telling us what His will is and the consequences of either our disobedience or obedience. The goal of God's discipline is not to seek revenge or to shame us, but rather to correct us.

Furthermore, the writer reminds us that if God did not love us, He would not discipline us. He regards us as "sons" showing us that we have a special relationship as His children and heirs. By our positive response to His discipline, we will be successful in our faithfulness and thus will be rewarded.

Living at peace with those around us enables us to demonstrate God's love and teach others about Jesus. Peace is also a reward God grants us as we live faithful lives.

Recall that holiness, like sanctification, means to be set aside. We are made holy and sanctified by God through our obedient faith. We learn obedience through the discipline of our Lord's teaching. Without being set aside (sanctified, made holy) we cannot see God.

Note: These statements of peace and holiness are critical elements of this chapter.

By our example of enduring faithfulness along with peaceful and holy lives.

The author is contrasting how the people were not allowed to go up on Mount Sinai but how Christians can approach God on Mount Zion (the church; Kingdom of God). God's barring the approach to Mount Sinai symbolized the gap in the relationship between God and man. It further emphasized man's sin and inadequacy. The Mount Zion referred to in Hebrews 12:22-24 does not refer to an actual physical mountain, but to God's spiritual Kingdom. Man's sinful condition barred anyone from approaching God at Mt. Sinai, however we can now approach God (Mt. Zion) because we have been made holy and thus worthy to approach God, by Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.

We are not to reject God. Instead, we are to submit to Him. Because of all that God has done for us, and our knowledge of it, we have no excuse for unfaithfulness. If we do not submit ourselves to God after the opportunity God has given us through Christ, then like the Hebrew nation that rejected God, we too will fall short of entering God's eternal kingdom.

We are to be grateful for God granting us entrance into His eternal Kingdom. He didn't have to grant us access; that was done according to His grace. Our response should be sincere gratitude shown through faithful living. When we fully realize what God has done for us, we cannot but worship God.

There is an element of warning in this final statement. We are to come before God (worship) on His terms. This includes reverence and awe both for who He is and what He has done. The warning is that God is capable of total destruction (a consuming fire).

If we understand what God has done for us and what Jesus endured on our behalf, we should be compelled to seek God's will and live faithful lives. Yet, even in our weaknesses, God will recognize us as His children because of the sacrifice of Jesus. We can and must continue to repent and seek to do His will in our lives. The following of God's will includes at its core a worshipful attitude which brings into balance our fear of His justice and acceptance of His love.