BESETTING SINS

HEBREWS 12:1–4

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood

(Hebrews 12:4).

We have looked at many of the great heroes of the faith of the old covenant. The greatest hero of the old covenant is the One mentioned in Hebrews 12:1–3. His name is Jesus. He was born in the old world and lived under the Law. He looked forward to the finished work of the Messiah and the reward of the coming kingdom, just as Noah and Abraham and Malachi did. More than any of the prophets who ever lived, He “endured opposition from sinful men,” because He was perfect. His life was a standing offense to sinners. The author of Hebrews climaxes his survey of the old covenant saints by telling us to consider Jesus and imitate His faith in God (Heb. 12:3).

The author tells these Jewish Christians in Hebrews 12:4 that (literally): “Not unto blood have you resisted, striving against sin.” What does this phrase mean? One common interpretation is that these believers had not yet shed their blood as martyrs under persecution. The persecution they had experienced so far was not as great as it would become. This interpretation seems to make sense in terms of the context, but there are two problems with it. First, the author says that the blood comes from striving against sin, not from persecution. Second, from the time of Stephen onwards, Jewish Christians had indeed shed their blood for the faith.

It seems more likely that “resisting unto blood” has to do with striving against sin and temptation. Each of us has certain “besetting sins,” sins that have become habitual to us, so that we find it hard to imagine living without them. Such sins are idols. Striving against them is probably something we shall have to do all our lives, but these are exactly the sin-challenges that God has put before us individually. Working on your besetting sin is the particular project God has given you.

Ultimately, however, the sin spoken of here is the sin of not following through in our trust in God. Jesus resisted unto blood in the garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane means “orchard of the oil press,” and blood was pressed out of Jesus as He strove against the temptation to avoid the cross. He resisted that temptation and put all His trust in the Father. We are called to do the same.

CORAM DEO

Psalms 84–87

Because Jesus resisted temptation to the point of blood, and because we are united to Him and His victory, we can claim His strength and presence with us when we strive against sin. Ask God to show you your besetting sin(s), and today claim Jesus’ blood and striving as your help in the fight.

For further study: Luke 22:39–46 • 1 Cor. 9:24–27 • 1 Peter 2:11–12

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