Hebrews Chapter 4
1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
We need to have a healthy fear about not entering God’s rest. That is, we need to have a healthy fear about not getting done the things God wants us to get done.
If your boss asked you to do something and you were not getting it done you would be stressed, wouldn’t you? How much more stressed then you should be if the Lord God asked you to do something and you were not getting it done?
2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS "; 5 and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST." 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so * that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
Why should we fear? It is because, just as God didn’t let the Israelites in Moses’ time enter the Promised Land, God will not let us enter in too if we are not fighting against sin.
When God tells you to do something, you must believe that it is possible – not by your strength alone, but with God’s help. God’s help is called ‘grace’. The Israelites looked at the giants and got scared of them because they didn’t count on God to help them. We should not make the same mistake.
For example, God wants you to get rid of anger. That is a giant. But should you doubt that you can conquer anger? No. Why? Because you can tap on God’s power to overcome anger.
Where does God’s power come from? How does it get released to us? We receive God’s power by faith in His promises and patience until He fulfills His promises. Take anger as an example. We get angry when things don’t go our way. But what if we believed God’s promise of Rom 8:28-30, which says that God causes all things to work for the good of those who love God. So if you really believe that, then there is no reason to get angry because everything that happens will work for your good, even if you cannot understand how.
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
God’s word sets the standard of what God wants, and that standard is very high. God’s ability to examine how we stand up to that standard is perfect – so if you mess up even ever so slightly, He will know it. So we have a big mountain to climb. Should we panic? No. Why? See the next passage.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot * sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
We don’t need to panic because Jesus is there to help us. He is our high priest.
A priest is a person who helps us solve our spiritual problems. If you have a financial problem you go to an accountant. If you have a water problem you call a plumber. Similarly, if you have a spiritual problem you need a priest.
Jesus is not just a priest but a high priest. That is, He is the best priest at solving our spiritual problems. And He is always available, and that too at no cost – a real bargain.
Jesus is the best because He has already solved every sin problem. That is, He was tempted in all things, and overcame every temptation. So nothing you can consult Him for could surprise or stump Him.
What’s more? He was man just like you and me, and so He knows how tricky the solution can sometimes be, and so when we fail to overcome any temptation and sin, He can sympathize, and He has a solution for that too because He paid for all our sins.
So there is no reason to panic (and no need to abandon God) when God allows us face mountains of temptation. Bring the giants. We can conquer them through faith and patience, just like Jesus did.
That is what the writer is trying to tell us in Heb 4.
If you try to overcome, and fail, what should you do? Give up? No. Just repent (desire to not fall again), ask for forgiveness, and try to understand why you failed, and fight again.
Even if you fall 100 times, keep fighting.
If God speaks to you today and says, "Overcome anger" and you’ve failed a million times before, don’t harden your heart by saying, "It’s no use. I can’t." All things are possible if you believe, in accordance with God’s will and God’s promises.
|