There are a lot of people that claim to be believers and thereby recipients of eternal life in Gods heavenly kingdom. However, the Bible explains that many of those people simply state belief with their mouths while their hearts reflect something very different. Hebrews 3:7-19 reminds the church of Old Testament history that reveals how big of a problem this is. Hebrews 3:7-19 reminds the church that the issue of salvation and ones ability to inherit Gods eternal blessings stems from ones heart condition - not what one is able to say. The Bible uses the testimony of Israels history in the wilderness as an example to show that saving faith is always an issue rooted in the heart and is demonstrated by ones conduct. The author of the Book of Hebrews implored the church to remember the temperament of the Jews while they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, waiting to enter the Promised Land. The author of Hebrews warned the church to refrain from the conduct of the children of Israel in the wilderness journey. Hebrews 3:7-19 quotes Psalm 95 to remind the church of Israels history. As the children of Israel wandered through the wilderness, the Bible referred to that time as the time of testing. The Israelites tried and tested the heart and patience of God. Though God performed great signs, wonders, and various miracles to remove Israel from the bondage of Egypt, sustain them in the wilderness, protect them in the wilderness, and lead them in the wilderness, the children of Israel did not respond faithfully. Hebrews 3:7-19 states that the conduct of the Jews while wandering though the wilderness was considered unfaithful. The hearts of the Israelites were unbelieving though God had powerfully demonstrated His attributes in obvious ways before the Jews. Nevertheless, the Israelites were discontent with Gods provision, complained about the process of the journey, felt themselves entitled to more and greater things. Since they felt this way inwardly, they demonstrated great greed, selfishness, pride, and those feelings were ultimately manifested through the worship of false gods and idols. The Bible refers to this attitude as unfaithfulness, and the Bible is clear to state that the unfaithfulness of the Israelites caused them to be withheld from the Promised Land. God showed compassion for the Jews, but they responded in rebellion and sin by complaining, being bitter with Gods work methods, and feeling themselves entitled to more. The Bible is clear to define this conduct as rebellion against God, and that those who rebel against God will not inherit the promised blessings of the Living God. Hebrews 3:7-19 warns that one should not harden ones heart against God in these ways and disqualify ones self from Gods eternally amazing blessings. Instead, one should acknowledge the amazingly powerful work of God and be thankful for His provision and grace. Just as God had genuinely removed the children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt back then, God has removed His children from the bondage and condemnation of sin through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. The intent of God was to deliver rest to the children of Israel, but they did not find rest since they could not humble their hearts and stop complaining and criticizing God. Just the same, God desires rest for His children today, but God considers complaining, criticism, bitterness, and selfishness to be unfaithfulness, which will cause more chaos as one disqualifies ones self from Gods peace and rest. There were entire generations of Jews that were unable to enter into the Promised Land because of hardened hearts and unbelief demonstrated through lives of complaining, bickering, selfishness, pride, self-entitlement, and rebellion. Dont make the same mistake! Learn from history as Hebrews 3:7-19 commands and humble yourself before the Living God so that He may lift you up by the work of His hands to bring you into the peace and rest of His eternal blessings. God bless yall! --Bside--
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 15:06:00 +0000