Hebrews 4:1-3
Don't misunderstand my previous postings, and mark well what the writer of Hebrews says here: it is possible to fall short of God's requirements for His children. It's not automatic--you can't just say, well. He's a human being--you know, he must be a child of God.
Read the author of Hebrews well in verse 2: the gospel of God was of no value to certain of the Israelites--and why?
Because they went fishing instead of praying on the Sabbath, perhaps?
The word of God had no value to these "people of God" because they didn't have any faith in the words.
Well, that much is obvious--I mean, look at what they were saying to Moses back in Exodus!
In the same way, the gospel of God is not helpful to us if we don't believe it.
Shall I say it again? It's so important: the word of God is of no use to us if we don't put our faith in it.
That means the Bible! Paul says "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." He's not talking about a revelation from an angel!
There are times we love the bible, and in those times it's easy to believe it. There are times when the bible affirms our beliefs, makes us feel good about our faith and our service to God, convicts us to do better. Those times, it's easy to believe the bible. Anybody can believe the bible when it's easy to believe.
But, later in this book, the writer of Hebrews says, "The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the division of soul and marrow. It judges the thoughts and motives of the heart." Sometimes the bible cuts into our hearts and tells us we need to change the way we think and the way we act. It's these times that test our faith in the word of God. Some people choose to shrug their shoulders and say, "Well. It's an old, crusty book anyway," and to move away from the word.
Don't!
Don't allow yourself to be mystified by the bible; search out the meaning, wrestle with the scriptures daily; contend with God over the truth of His word! Put the word of God to the test if you don't believe it!
Jacob wrestled with the angel until it relented and gave him a blessing. Would that I were as tenacious in my study of the bible! In those many, many places where I just don't understand the word as I should, may God grant me the courage to wrestle Him to the ground until He yields and blesses me with knowledge from the word.
Would that not be worth a few sleepless nights, I ask? Would that not be worth a multitude of sleepless nights?
May we be a people powerfully in love with a powerful message from the heart of our Creator! May we trust it to shape our hearts and minds as we struggle to become like Him! May I never take the easy road, saying, "Well. It was written 2,000 years ago. Who knows what it means?"
Let it never be!
Read the author of Hebrews well in verse 2: the gospel of God was of no value to certain of the Israelites--and why?
Because they went fishing instead of praying on the Sabbath, perhaps?
The word of God had no value to these "people of God" because they didn't have any faith in the words.
Well, that much is obvious--I mean, look at what they were saying to Moses back in Exodus!
In the same way, the gospel of God is not helpful to us if we don't believe it.
Shall I say it again? It's so important: the word of God is of no use to us if we don't put our faith in it.
That means the Bible! Paul says "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." He's not talking about a revelation from an angel!
There are times we love the bible, and in those times it's easy to believe it. There are times when the bible affirms our beliefs, makes us feel good about our faith and our service to God, convicts us to do better. Those times, it's easy to believe the bible. Anybody can believe the bible when it's easy to believe.
But, later in this book, the writer of Hebrews says, "The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the division of soul and marrow. It judges the thoughts and motives of the heart." Sometimes the bible cuts into our hearts and tells us we need to change the way we think and the way we act. It's these times that test our faith in the word of God. Some people choose to shrug their shoulders and say, "Well. It's an old, crusty book anyway," and to move away from the word.
Don't!
Don't allow yourself to be mystified by the bible; search out the meaning, wrestle with the scriptures daily; contend with God over the truth of His word! Put the word of God to the test if you don't believe it!
Jacob wrestled with the angel until it relented and gave him a blessing. Would that I were as tenacious in my study of the bible! In those many, many places where I just don't understand the word as I should, may God grant me the courage to wrestle Him to the ground until He yields and blesses me with knowledge from the word.
Would that not be worth a few sleepless nights, I ask? Would that not be worth a multitude of sleepless nights?
May we be a people powerfully in love with a powerful message from the heart of our Creator! May we trust it to shape our hearts and minds as we struggle to become like Him! May I never take the easy road, saying, "Well. It was written 2,000 years ago. Who knows what it means?"
Let it never be!
posted by ionathas78 at 6:32 AM
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