SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12
Hebrews 12:14-17
Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
OBSERVATIONS: Impulse purchases at the checkout are the usual example for short-term appetites. Short term appetites are better described in terms of sin. The difficulty comes in trying the broader interpretation in decisions like, “Do I pay off debt or expand staff?” Neither is a short-term appetite, and both are done in service to God, the giver of the lifelong gift. Instead, the focus has to remain squarely on the differentiation between the things that honor God’s gift of life and salvation and the things that take that gift for granted — or thumbs a nose at it.
APPLICATION: Joey, you’ve been given new life. Don’t give that up for a bad trade on short-term, no-life living for your “self.” Nothing you want or desire compares to the life-gifts that come from being a follower of Christ. More importantly, don’t set a bad example for those who are hoping you will show them Christ.
PRAYER: Christ, I choose you. Forgive me when I try to choose worldly things as well. I’m relying on your love to keep me focused on the things that matter — the life-gifts that go with salvation and the abundance of living that result. I pray in your name, for the sake of your Kingdom and the life that I no longer own, Amen.
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