Are you ever impatient? Not so much impatient with circumstances, but with people? Have you ever looked across the church and shaken your head at that person who never seems to grow up, who constantly struggles in their walk with the Lord, and who never quite manages to be there every Sunday? Have you ever spoken or thought the words “weak,” “immature,” or “foolish” about others? I am certainly guilty of this charge. On the other hand, have you ever had your own sins exposed, only to find that you really don’t want to give them up? You may have become adept at rationalizing your sin, or you may have decided that you’re going to have your guilty pleasure and just go ahead and sin this time. Again, I am guilty of this charge too.
One obvious result of COVID-19 has been to reveal even more the many differences in the visible people of God. Just walk into almost any church, and they will be conspicuous—some people wear masks, and others don’t. Some people socially distance, and others don’t. Some people won’t come to church because they’re required to wear a mask; others won’t come because everyone is not required to wear a mask. Our differences have become painfully obvious.
How should we view our brothers and sisters in Christ when we have polar opposite views on a huge issue like a pandemic? How can we “pursue peace with all people, and holiness” (Heb. 12:14, New King James Version)? As we read Hebrews 12, we can see three ways to pursue peace and holiness. First, we are to resist sin to the point of bloodshed. Second, we are encouraged to endure the chastening of God as our Father. Third, we are told to strengthen the weak members of the body.
Resist to Bloodshed
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us . . . You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin” (Heb. 12:1, 4). When you think of resistance that leads to bloodshed, what comes to mind? Most likely things like war, persecution, or hospitals and the fight against disease. Yet those things are not what Hebrews 12 is talking about; it’s talking about resisting sin. The English Standard Version puts it this way: “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” No kidding! Can you imagine resisting sin so strongly that you shed your own blood?
This idea of resisting sin to the point of bloodshed is not new to the book of Hebrews. Jesus himself tells us, “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you” (Matt. 5:30). Commentators are all quick to point out that Jesus is speaking figuratively here, not literally. He doesn’t actually command us to cut off our hands . . . or does he? What is the main point of this teaching? Throughout the Bible, God takes sin seriously. Seriously to the point of bloodshed. Seriously to the point of cutting your hands off. Seriously to the point of death. Seriously to the point of the perfect Son of God himself dying on the cross. In fact, “without the shedding of blood there is no remission [of sins]” (Heb. 9:22, New King James Version). When observing the civil laws in Old Testament Israel, there is a symbolic component, yet there is also a serious physical component. In Leviticus, we find the prescription for animal sacrifices—a shedding of blood that covers the sin of the person bringing the sacrifice. Many different types of sins are listed, with the corresponding sacrifices. However, it is interesting to note that there are no categories of willful sins. There are no sacrifices to cover sins that are committed on purpose. For willful sins, there is but one punishment— death. Sin must be resisted at all costs.
What would our lives look like if we took these commands more seriously? Instead of spending all our time explaining why Jesus doesn’t actually want us to cut off our hands, what if we spent our time examining ways that we can cut off sin and cast it from us? What are we willing to give up so that we don’t sin? Are we willing to love other people even when their views are the opposite of ours?
Do You Pity Your Child?
God reveals himself to us in many ways, and one of those ways is as a Father. Any parent with more than one child can quickly tell you that Child #1 is a completely different person than Child #2. For us, our first two children are almost polar opposites. Our first boy is energetic and talkative. Nonstop. I’m positive that these traits are built into his DNA, because from the moment during pregnancy that I could first feel movement, it was constant. He can never sit still. His tongue pretty much keeps up with his body—I cannot count the times we have had to tell him to stop talking and hold his peace. By way of contrast, our second boy is thoughtful and studious. He can sit for hours building with his blocks. He doesn’t have trouble talking when you can get him by himself, but he seldom speaks over big brother. As parents, we can see the weaknesses of our children, yet somehow we love them just the same. I find it rather amusing that talkativeness is a trait that has long been a pet peeve of mine. I will readily admit that I cannot stand people who talk all the time! Yet, because he is my son, not only do I put up with his idiosyncrasies, but I also love him wholeheartedly. And, because I know him, I do not expect the things out of him that I would expect out of my other children. I know that he is wiggly, and I accommodate that. I find creative ways to help him learn, and I try to listen when he talks. Also, I know that he will need discipline and correction in a different way than my other children.
Isn’t it wonderful that God is a better Father than any earthly parent? He knows us intricately. He didn’t just bring us into the world; he designed every part of us—body and soul. Hebrews 12:10 compares our parenting with God’s: “For they [human fathers] indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.” If an earthly father knew what was best for his child, he would do it to the utmost of his ability. The problem is, we are humans and don’t always know what is best! Even if an earthly father knew what was best, however, he would still not have the power to carry it out! Isn’t it wonderful that God as our Father knows what is best for us and chastens us “for our profit”? Also, isn’t it wonderful that God as our Father has all the power to carry out his perfect plan for our lives?
God would have every reason to condemn us and label us as weak, immature, and foolish. Yet, when we are saved and adopted into his family, he in fact does the opposite. He is merciful to us. He removes our transgressions from us. And how does he feel about us? “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Ps. 103:13–14). God is patient with us! He comes alongside us and meets us where we are—in the midst of our sin, our impatience, and our pride—and teaches us gradually, one step at a time. He gives us exactly the circumstances (afflictions included!) that we need in order to grow. He is faithful to punish us for our sins, yet he never breaks us. “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather healed” (Heb. 12:12–13).
Lessons from Cockroaches and Snails
As you look across the church, are you tempted to look down upon that weak person who is so scared they insist on wearing a mask? Are you tempted to scoff at that immature person who refuses to wear a mask for the benefit of others? Are you tempted to shake your head at that foolish person who hasn’t come to church for the past three weeks? Are you tempted to justify your own sin? If so, remember that God created both of you. He ordained the lives of both of you. He knows both of you, inside and out, and you both are pleasing in his sight only because of the redeeming work of Christ. He is faithful to discipline both of you. And learn a lesson from cockroaches. Yes, you read that right— cockroaches. Because us comparing ourselves with one another is like one cockroach having a beauty contest with another cockroach. It’s weak. It’s immature. It’s foolish. It’s ludicrous! It’s like forgetting that you have been cleansed by the blood of Christ, and not by your response to a virus. It’s like thinking that you have enough righteousness of your own to stand before God and declare that you are not like those other people in your church.
Has COVID-19 brought trials into your life? Are you seeing God’s faithful hand of discipline in those trials? Are you willing to accept the discipline of God to help you become holy? As you see others who are different from you, are you willing to reach out to them by writing a note of encouragement? Are you praying for your fellow believers on a regular basis? Or are you simply dismissing them as being wrong?
There’s a children’s song where the daddy snail is teaching the young snail a lesson. “Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry. If you get impatient, you only start to worry. Remember—remember— that God is patient too. And think of all the times when others have to wait for you!” Are you patient with your children? Do you know they are weak and frail, with different strengths and weaknesses? If so, apply some of that patience to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Love them, correct them, debate with them, but never forget to be patient with them.
Expect God to discipline you in some unpleasant ways. Be serious about resisting sin at all costs. And if you need to use words like “weak,” “immature,” and “foolish,” try them out on yourself first. God is patient with you, too, and he may be teaching you a much-needed lesson.
Vanessa Le is a wife and mom to four children age six and under. She enjoys reading, playing the piano, studying theology, and generally being Mommy. She is a member of Orlando Reformed Presbyterian Church in Orlando, FL.