MIX IN FAITH
HEBREWS 4:1-2 NKJV
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
The books of the Bible were not divided into chapter and verse. The book of Hebrews was one continuous letter that Biblical scholars divided for the sake of reference. And I am very glad they did.
These verses in chapter four are a continuation of the last few verses of chapter three. They reference the subject of what happened to the nation of Israel when they came out of Egypt. This was the group that tested God over and over during their journey to the land God had promised them. They complained about food and water and questioned God's ability to provide for them. They made a golden calf and worshipped this false god. And then they complained some more.
The final straw occurred when they were right on the edge of the promised land. When they heard reports about the warlike tribes that were living in the land, they rebelled against God. They refused to believe that God would not only give them the land but enable them to take it despite the fierce occupants. They could not enter into the land because of their unbelief and subsequent refusal to obey God.
So, the writer of Hebrews now brings things into the current situation involving these Jewish believers. These are the believers who have found salvation through faith in Christ. And all the inheritance that was theirs in Christ was available to them. But the writer encourages them not to fall short of what God has provided. And they are reminded that the good news was proclaimed to the nation of Israel, who came out of Egypt. And the good news has been proclaimed to these current believers.
But here is the difference. The word that Israel heard through Moses was not mixed with faith. They did not believe the word of God that was spoken to them by Moses. And so even though they were given good news because they did not mix in faith, the word did not profit them. It was not the fierce tribes of people that kept Israel from the promised land. It was their unbelief, their refusal to believe what God had said.
APPLICATION
How we approach God's Word makes all the difference. God's Word can be alive and full of power or powerless, and it's not up to God. It's up to us.
That phrase "the word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" is sobering. But the good news is that it does not have to be that way. The word of God that is preached to us that we read daily can profit us greatly. God's Word is transformative when we believe it. When we mix faith with God's Word, it can cause us to become new creations. God's Word can transform us from negative to positive. From fearful to courageous. From weak to strong. From selfish to loving. From ill to well. If we choose to believe it.
So don't ask yourself if you believe God's Word. If you can believe Genesis 1:1, that God created the heavens and the earth, then you can easily handle the rest. So tell yourself each time you see a truth that seems too far out there or too good to be true - I believe this. Mix in faith and see the benefits.
PRAYER
Lord, I believe Your word, every word. I purpose to enter into all the good things that belong to me in Christ!