Exhortation and Repentance · Christian Family · Identity in Christ

But for a bowl of lentils?!

4 min read, approximately

“Take care that no one fails to obtain God’s grace, that no root of bitterness springs up to hinder you and contaminate many, and that no one is sexually immoral or profane like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected and found no opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears.” (Hebrews 12:15-17)

God’s Word says that we have been adopted by the Lord, that we are his children, and therefore that we are all fellow heirs:

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry: Abba, Father! The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:14-17)

Therefore, we have been given:

“The glory you gave me I have given them, so that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me, so that they may be made perfect in unity, and the world may know that you sent me and have loved them as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:22-24)

We have also been: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, through which he made us accepted in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us in all wisdom and understanding, making known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he had purposed in himself: to bring together all things in Christ in the administration of the fullness of time, both things in heaven and things on earth. In him we also obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of the one who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we, who first hoped in Christ, might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believing in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of the acquired possession, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:3-14) Wow! What our Father desires for us leaves us speechless! Yet our common enemy wants to confuse us:

“Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are experiencing the same sufferings. May the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory in Jesus Christ, after you have suffered a little while, himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:8-10)

Holiness, holiness:

“Therefore, lift your drooping hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not leave the path but instead be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:12-14)

What will we do today? Like Esau, will we sell our status as children for a bowl of lentils—a little sin—only to be unable afterward to receive God’s blessings and then long for them with tears? Or Will we walk in holiness as children of the King of Kings, without trading our life for sin—a bowl of lentils?

May God continue to bless you
and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to stop by the Songbook