Hebrews 12:12-17 Don't Come Short of God's Grace

The message from our author was directed to believing and unbelieving Jews. They were beginning to experience persecution from other Jewish people. To the believers, our author encouraged them to pursue peace with everyone, because God’s goal was for all people to be at peace with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. That goal has not changed. People, including their actions and lifestyles, are not the enemy. Our goal isn’t to teach immoral people to be moral. Our goal is to help dead people find life in Jesus Christ. For the unbelieving Jews, his message was a warning. He didn’t want them to make a mistake like Esau and forfeit their future salvation for immediate and temporary relief. Remember, we are also tasked with telling people of the danger of “gaining the world and forfeiting their soul.”