Hebrews 12:3-29.  The author of Hebrews had encouraged his readers to look to Jesus,  the only one who has finished the race and is now in resurrection glory.  He now reveals what our race is going to entail.

1. Living under the new covenant is not going to be easy.  The Father will need to discipline us, just as earthly fathers do.  Some who aspire to live the Christian life will not “obtain the grace.”  They will be sidetracked by distraction, weakness, strife, unholiness, and immorality (3-17).
2. When the old covenant was inaugurated at Sinai, the people feared the wrath of God who gave order that anyone touching the mountain should be stoned.  How much more should we revere and obey under this new covenant, put into effect by the death of Christ himself?  Those who treat this covenant lightly will be consumed by the fire God’s hell (18-29).

LORD, we accept your covenant of love and grace. May we not treat it lightly, knowing it comes from a God of justice who will destroy all his enemies by fire.