Here’s the big payoff of not only the argument but of the whole letter. In light of all that has come before between God and His people, and light of what Jesus has consequently done, let us endure. We are called to throw off all that slows us down or trips us up (think sin) and focus on Jesus, the one who establishes that which we are to believe and even provides our ability to do it. He has not only plotted the course for the race, he came as an example on how to run it.
And we are to be encouraged by all that Jesus suffered as a demonstration that we can persevere as well, even in the most troubling or trying of circumstances. The statement “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood…” is especially indicting to our culture of “don’t beat yourself up, everyone sins” and other such thoughts. Although true, the posturing lacks the warrant that Scripture brings, that which calls us to holy living, repentance and perseverance. Have I shed blood in my resistance to sin? No, I have not. Perhaps I am not putting up enough of a fight.
Then we are reassured that discipline we receive (or are called to) is a demonstration of God’s love for us, because he disciplines those he loves. We are the children of God, not cast aside children who get no attention or instruction. So, be thankful for that which sits upon your heart or mind that brings your sin to the forefront, it is a reminder that God loves you and will persist in the pursuit of your holiness and freedom. Ultimately, the result of our perseverance is the “…peaceful fruit of righteousness…”. Ah, I want this, therefore I must persevere to attain it.
I love this next section. It’s time to stiffen our backs, steel our jaws, stand up straight and march forward. Because we have an example of Jesus on how to live, and because God will discipline us to keep us on the right path, and because the endurance that God empowers produces peace that God provides, we obey and do the thing. We shall keep steady, stalwart; strive for peace and keep things holy. Bring people with us as we follow and walk the walk of Jesus and reject bitterness of any kind for any reason that it may not cause us trouble and throw us off course.
In v.18, we again find a comparison between the covenant under which the law of Moses exists and the new agreement that Jesus brings. What Jesus brings allows us gracious entrance upon God’s holy mountain, within his city, at an assembly surrounded by his guests. Where the old agreement kept separation between man and God because of an imperfect mediator (the high priest), the new agreement allows us to be in full and open relationship, father to son, to the living God. We have a better mediator (Jesus) so we get better access. It’s like having a roadie friend at a Led Zeppelin concert. You know the right people, you get to meet the right people. And we know Jesus.
It should go without saying based upon the compelling case Hebrews man has made but he reiterates here that there be no refusal of what is being said here. Do not reject the discipline of God, the gifts of God, the promises of God, the calls to holiness of God. Ultimately, because it’s just plain foolish to do so. If God is God, then he’s right and we should do what he says. If he’s not, for heaven’s sake stop reading Hebrews, you’re wasting your life.
Even so, we have a great promise indeed. For we have received a “…kingdom that cannot be shaken.” It simply can’t fall away. This section almost represents a sifting, where only the right things will remain when all is said and done. We can have confidence in the kingdom of which we are part. And in reaction, we offer God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, which is simply a right reflection of who He is, what He has done, and the power that can rightfully be used in judgment that has been turned full force into the work of grace.