THE THIRD THING IN LIFE TO AVOID as we strengthen ourselves for this run in life so that we can find true fulfillment and learn to experience joy in all things, is to not put the pleasures of this world before our relationship with God and to pursue our relationship with Him daily. We find this in Hebrews 12:16.
Hebrews 12:16 (TNIV)
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.
In the old Testament, “sexually immoral” is often used as a metaphor for idolatry. Putting our faith in things and pleasures thinking that they will leave us fulfilled when in fact…..only by putting our faith and trust in God do we find fulfillment. By trading his birthright, Esau showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way if he had kept it.
When I was in the Army in Germany, we would get up each morning and run 3-5 miles together as a team….me and 100 other soldiers. We would start on the road….on the pavement…but sometimes we would take off in the woods.
I remember one early morning it was foggy outside and we started the run. As we got going, really pushin’ ourselves, sweat was pouring down my face, I could see my breath in little wisp as I was breathing in time to the cadence. We took off down a wide trail in the forest. There was very little underbrush in the forest and as we were running I looked over and saw this huge wild boar with a bunch of baby piglets. This boar was the size of a small cow! I was glad that we were running and especially glad that we were running as a team!
Next thing I knew my face hit the ground and I was eatin’ dirt! I tripped on a root or something and went down hard. Soldiers were tripping over me and stepping on me as they rushed forward to stay in the run. Then I felt arms picking me up and helping me to my feet as everyone continued to run. I kept hearing these words of encouragement…”C’mon SGT P. You can do it! Get up! We can do it!”. I got back in the pace and we continued on. We start together and by gosh….we end together! Because we’re team!
This is what it means in these verses from Hebrews when the writer says, “See to it that no one falls short of…”, “See that no one is..”
Hebrews 12:15-16 (TNIV)
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.
As followers of Christ, we are on this team together, we are in this life together…..we are all running the same route! We need God…and we need each other….for encouragement, for accountability, to help us to stay in the run and on the right path!
May you put your faith in God and in godly things, and not the pleasures of this world, and not the pleasures of the flesh. May you find then fulfillment in your life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And may you encourage and help those around you to stay strong in their faith, loving God and loving others.