Hebrews 12:4

       “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” One small verse tucked in between a whole bunch of inspiration and exhortation, but one that’s often overlooked in our rush to get through our reading time. We ask God to speak to us and get into His Word, read and move on wondering why we don’t hear Him. There are 2 words I would like us to look at, the first is, “Therefore”. If we take the time to go back and see what it is therefore, we will see a whole list of those who have gone on before us and what they went through. When we are going through the wilderness or the deserts in life, do we ever look back at this verse and see what they were doing? They were trusting God and we see the results, even with those refusing to deny Him. Do we look at Chapter 11 and see what others had to go through? The next word is in verse 3, “consider”. “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Do you take the time to consider the bloodshed of Jesus because of, and for us? He didn’t do it so we could keep on sinning as if nothing is going to happen to us. We are told to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” (Hebrews 12:1b). If we strive against sin we will continue in His forgiveness, grace and mercy as children loved and chastened, but if we purposely continue in sin, we may end up being “illegitimate and not sons” (Hebrews 12:8b). Look back at the blood shed because of His love for you, and start striving AGAINST sin!