August 23
“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account,” Hebrews 4:11-13.
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews has another admonition for Christians: “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” As Christians, let us continue in the faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus, and we will enter the eternal rest in heaven. Let us continue in the faith so that we do not make the same mistake that was made by God’s chosen people, the children of Israel. They were disobedient to the Gospel – that is, they did not believe the Gospel, the Good News about the promised Savior.
Where is our hope? Hear and believe the Word of God. Both the Law and the Gospel are a living and a powerful Word. The Law of God, like a two-edged sword, cuts to the heart and convicts us of our sins. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter said, “‘Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” Acts 2:36-37. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord asks, “‘Is not My Word like a fire?’ says the Lord, ‘And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?’” Jeremiah 23:29. The Law shows us our hopelessness to save ourselves by our own good works. To the Romans, the apostle Paul wrote, “By the deeds of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the Law is the knowledge of sin . . . All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:20, 23.
The Gospel is also a living and powerful Word. The Gospel gives the promise of eternal life. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand,” John 10:27-28. With Paul, we say, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” Romans 1:16. The Holy Spirit calls us to faith and keeps us in the faith through the power of the Gospel, the message of God’s love revealed through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews concludes, “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord asks, “‘Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?’ says the Lord; ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the Lord,” Jeremiah 23:24. The psalmist asks, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” Psalm 139:7. There is no such thing as getting away from God!
Humbly, we turn to God, confessing our sins, and we trust in His grace and mercy, and His assurance that our sins are all forgiven. We are cleansed through Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Jesus has opened the gate of heaven for us. He has conquered sin, death, and the devil for us. We trust in the risen Redeemer and our ever-living Lord.
“The Law commands and makes us know
What duties to our God we owe;
But ‘tis the Gospel must reveal
Where lies our strength to do His will.
My soul, no more attempt to draw
Thy life and comfort from the Law.
Fly to the hope the Gospel gives;
The man that trusts the promise lives!” Amen.