Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
This passage of scripture recounts for us the sad experience of Esau, who manifested sorrow, but never came to the point of repentance, where he would turn his life over to God so that he could be changed. Like any other human being, Esau had emotions, and at times he became so overwhelmed with feelings of pity, that he burst into tears, thus showing that his heart was not completely hard and unfeeling. But these manifestations of sorrow, as genuine as they oftenwere, did not take him to the next level, for after the temporary flight of feeling was gone, he again returned to his old ways, with no change whatsoever, and no real desire to serve God, whom he had previously despised.
One of these instances occurred after he had sold his birthright for a pot of lentils, and in doing so, his reasoning was, "What good shall this birthright do me", showing that he lightly esteemed the heavenly treasure, and was willing to part with something of infinite value, for temporary food which could have easily been purchased at the local grocery store. On another occasion, he broke down in tears when he came across his brother Jacob, who had fled into exile on account of his threats, for when he saw his younger limping towards him, it broke his heart, and he could not proceed with his murderous designs to slay him. Thus it was, on several occasions Esau manifested human sorrow and emotions, which are indeed common to all of the human family. Let's read:
Genesis 33:1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men".... 2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. 3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
So far so good, for it is commendable for us to show pity and tender emotions towards each member of the human family, but if this does not lead us to repentance for sinning against God and man, and if our sorrow is not for sin, but for some other reason, then repentance, which is a gift of God will evade us, until we come to the point where we confess to having committed wrong, and thus ask God to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
In our day too, there are many human tragedies for which we all feel deep sorrow, and as we watch the various images on television, of thousands of refugees on the move, fleeing from war-torn countries, and as we see beheadings, and famine, hunger, and floods, and little boys and girls dying from starvation and cold, our deepest emotions are stirred , and many people are moved to tears, and follow up with large donations, even opening up their homes to the less fortunate so that they may find shelter. All of these things are all well and good, and are to be commended, for Christ Himself has commanded us to do the same, for the very essence of Christianity is wrapped up in selfless service.
However, if at the end of the day there is no true contrition and remorse for sin, and if radical changes to our evil ways are never put in place through the renewing power of The Holy Spirit, then like Esau and Judas, who showed a great out pouring of human emotions, we too will fail of God's grace, regardless of how many good and credible deeds we may have done. This solemn truth is embodied in the words of Christ as He warns us of this very scenario that is to unfold when He comes to claim His own. Let's read:
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Let us therefore be willing to accept God's gracious overtures to save us on His own terms, and let us not fall into the snare of substituting good works for confession and repentance, for all the charitable deeds in the whole wide world will not atone for one sin that is cherished, nor will kindness manifested towards others, guarantee our pardon for deliberate sins that have not been forsaken. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms this sacred truth and it is the will of God that we presently accept His gift of repentance, when the Holy Spirit bids us turn from our evil ways. Let's read:
Hebrews 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!