The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Hebrews 3:19,
"So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."
The writer of Hebrews points to those who were not able to enter into the promised land when the Lord brought them out of Egypt. Using Moses, the Lord freed the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. However most of these Israelites did not believe in God, in spite of the Lord freeing them and all the most amazing miracles the Lord manifested before them.
Their unbelief was demonstrated by their disobedience to the Lord. In the previous verse we read, "to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?" Verse 18. Disobedience manifests unbelief. The writer uses this as an illustration of the importance of saving faith for us today.
James speaks of a certain kind of faith that brings a person eternal life. Not all faith brings salvation. He says, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" James 2:14. He answers his own question in verse 17, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Faith that is manifested by a lifestyle change is saving faith. That is the kind of faith that Abraham had as he obeyed God.
James goes on to say, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?"
James uses Abraham as our example of faith to learn from, "Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." James 2:21-24.
Not all faith saves! As James says, demons believe in God. Some have adopted a false dichotomy regarding faith and actions. They say that believing in God is fine, but to be an actively growing Christian, you need to receive the Holy Spirit in addition to being saved. This is just bad theology. Paul says, "if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." Romans 8:9b.
"So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."
The writer of Hebrews points to those who were not able to enter into the promised land when the Lord brought them out of Egypt. Using Moses, the Lord freed the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. However most of these Israelites did not believe in God, in spite of the Lord freeing them and all the most amazing miracles the Lord manifested before them.
Their unbelief was demonstrated by their disobedience to the Lord. In the previous verse we read, "to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?" Verse 18. Disobedience manifests unbelief. The writer uses this as an illustration of the importance of saving faith for us today.
James speaks of a certain kind of faith that brings a person eternal life. Not all faith brings salvation. He says, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" James 2:14. He answers his own question in verse 17, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Faith that is manifested by a lifestyle change is saving faith. That is the kind of faith that Abraham had as he obeyed God.
James goes on to say, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?"
James uses Abraham as our example of faith to learn from, "Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." James 2:21-24.
Not all faith saves! As James says, demons believe in God. Some have adopted a false dichotomy regarding faith and actions. They say that believing in God is fine, but to be an actively growing Christian, you need to receive the Holy Spirit in addition to being saved. This is just bad theology. Paul says, "if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." Romans 8:9b.
The better perspective is that if my life does not indicate a vital and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and the active presence of the Holy Spirit, then it is likely my faith in God is not the kind of faith Abraham had. Maybe it is not much more than the belief demons have.
This is an important issue. Just ask those who accompanied Moses out of Egypt.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment