Hebrews 12:28-13:6 Succession-Finishing By Grace.

In light of the conclusion above to the lawsuit, which stands as a warning to all, and “since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (v. 28). The apostates had rejected grace. However, every true believer knows that having begun by grace we must also finish with grace. Only by grace can we “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear,” the latter being evidence of the former (Cf. 13:15, 21). “For our God is a consuming fire” (v. 29 Cf. Ex. 24:17). God will both consume all the haters in judgment, and also consume all that in His people is not of grace.

Brotherly love is one thing that comes from grace (13:1 Cf. Rom. 12:10-13), as does the entertaining of strangers, “for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (v. 2 Cf. Gen. 18:1-22; 19:1; Mt. 25:35-36). We are reminded to “remember the prisoners as if chained with them-those who are mistreated-since you yourselves are in the body also” (v. 3 Cf. 10:34). Grace is what makes fidelity in marriage possible (v. 4 Cf. Prov. 5:18-19; I Cor. 6:9; I Th. 4:6). Grace also keeps us from covetousness (v. 5 Cf. Gen. 28:15; Dt. 31:6-8; Josh. 1:5). “So we may say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me’” (v. 6 Cf. Pss. 27:1; 118:6)?