Our passage this week is one of the most troubling in the New Testament. There are a variety of radically different interpretations.

Reading 12:14-17, one might conclude that because Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a single meal, he “found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.” Some interpreters believe the author is warning his readers if they foolishly sell out their spiritual birthright, they may find no chance to repent.

I believe the writer is concerned primarily with Esau’s loss of his birthright, the direct consequence of his foolishness. But, later, when Jacob returns to his homeland, although he fears Esau may seek revenge, instead he is received without bitterness and there is grace and benevolence on Esau’s part. Apparently, despite his unwise choice, Esau has prospered.

So why is the writer holding him up as a negative example? Because he was truly irresponsible to give away his birthright.

From ancient times in Judaism, the birthright of the firstborn was revered. The writer, knowing he is addressing Christians with a Jewish background, chose this well-known epic to drive home a point that was also appropriate for Christians: Readers are warned not to foolishly give up their spiritual inheritance in Jesus Christ.

And though our circumstances are quite different from his times, he is saying much the same to us: Do not take or surrender lightly the immeasurable riches of your Christian heritage.

Null and void?

He is also underscoring a fact that is all too often overlooked: God’s forgiveness does not necessarily remove the consequences of our acts.

If, while you are driving you are also texting and you have an accident in which you and/or others are seriously injured, God will forgive your sin if you truly repent of it, but that will not turn back the clock and make those injuries null and void. There are times when God will forgive you, but not remove the consequences to you, other people or society in general.

Another truth that eludes some Christians is that there is no point in seeking healing – physical, emotional, spiritual and relational – if we continue to walk the paths that led us into brokenness. This is true of congregations as well as individuals.

One of Teddy Roosevelt’s sons said, “Dad’s all for peace, so long as it doesn’t interfere with the fighting!” There are individuals, congregations and even some denominations about which that can be said.

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed” (12:12,13). More specifically, “Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no root of ‘bitterness’ spring up and cause trouble, and by it many become defiled” (12:15).

 As I write this, today’s newspaper spoke of the Sikh temple in Wisconsin where six worshippers were killed by a gunman apparently motivated by religious hatred. Mentioned also was a piece about Shiites in Iraq who were blown up by Sunni bombs, and an update on the hate killer of Moslems in Norway.

Some of you are possibly either saying or thinking: “Thank God! No Christians involved.” Historically, however, there has been much hatred and violence by and among Christians. Many of us well remember the deadly Protestant/Roman Catholic warfare in Northern Ireland.

Hatred and violence have been more harmful to Christianity than heresy. In fact, violence is a heresy that has no foundations within the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Although at this moment there are no publicized incidences in this country of current violence between Christians, hatred – a major cause of violence – is not lacking.

As you read this piece our nation is involved in a political campaign that, while it may be amusing and entertaining to some Christians, is destructive of our democracy and our Christian faith. Turn on your television or examine your local newspaper; people on both the right and left promote hatred and divide our people, a blatant repudiation of the teachings of Jesus.

Not only are there politicians exploiting innuendos and lies, but a large portion of the populace enjoys the battle and would be disappointed if Democrats and Republicans didn’t attack each other.

“Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (12:29). He is not specifying peace only between Christians and other Christians. The peace of Christ is specified for all: Sikhs, Moslems, Hindus, Jews, liberals and conservatives. “Strive for peace with all men …” (and today we would add “all women”).

Our first loyalty must be to Jesus Christ. Political ideology, at best, should always be second. If an avowed Christian cannot discern conflict between ideology and the gospel, he or she probably ought to question whether they understand the gospel. It comes to us from God through Jesus Christ, but our ideologies originate in fallible human minds. Hatred and enmity are the worst of all heresies because they nullify the Gospel.

Retired Army Col. Lawrence B. Bixby recalled: “In the old Army days of the horse we said, ‘When you come to a hurdle, if you throw your heart over it, the horse will go along, too.’ It made sense, and when I forced myself to do things that were uncomfortable, it was not long before they became comfortable. When I threw my heart into them, the rest of me went along.”

If we throw our hearts over life’s hurdles, it is likely the rest of us will go along, too.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.