Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;  lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.  For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Hebrew 12:14-17

Today’s section of scripture is heavy! There’s probably a hundred good Bible studies on these few verses, but the most obvious one is the lesson of Esau. If you remember, Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a measly bowl of soup. “How stupid,” you might say. Yet we do the same thing everyday. Just like Esau, we put the immediate wants and needs of our flesh ahead of our heavenly birthright.

Paul* compares Esau’s lack of respect for his birthright to profaneness and fornication and points out that Esau stepped over the line. He somehow crossed a point of no coming back. That’s scary, especially in the context of the other verses. It certainly makes me think twice before giving into the flesh and selling my eternal birthright for a momentary pleasure that is more fleeting than this world. I suspect many people who thought they had a ticket to the resurrection will be seeking one diligently with tears, but it will be too late.

So, let’s take Paul’s advice and pursue peace and holiness while we still have the breath God gave us.

*I know some people don’t think Paul wrote Hebrews, and if that’s you, that’s fine.

Jesus said, “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul?” Prepper translation: “What good will it do you to survive the coming economic collapse, nuclear war, or even a zombie apocalypse if you don’t know you will go to heaven when you die.” A recent study found that 10 out of 10 people die! On that day we will meet our Maker. It only makes sense to be prepared for that day. Click here to learn more about knowing GOD.

Have a blessed day and happy prepping!

Mark