Scripture – “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those that heard did not combine it with faith.”
Hebrews 4:1-2 NIV
Observation – God has promised peace today and eternal rest for those who hear the gospel and combine it with faith. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” We are saved by grace through faith, not through intellectual acknowledgement. Believing is intellectual agreement, receiving is accepting the gift of salvation, trusting in Jesus as your Lord and Savior and obeying his commands. Without faith there is no relationship, no rest and no salvation.
Application – How do you know if you have heard the gospel and combined it with faith? Have you confessed your sins and asked Jesus to forgive you? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins and rose from the dead to proclaim victory over death? Do you trust him with your life, your money, your career and your family? Does Jesus sit on the throne of your life or are you still there? If you believe in the historical fact of the death and resurrection of Jesus but have not received him as your Lord, don’t wait. Eternity hangs in the balance.
Prayer – Lord, I pray for all the people who say they are Christians but only believe in you from an intellectual and historical perspective. I pray that they would give their lives to you right now, that they would cross over from eternal death to eternal life and enter your rest today. There is nothing more valuable than peace with you. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 