EPISODE 626 – THE 5 BETTER NOTS 5 (Gleanings From the Book of Hebrews)

THE 5 BETTER NOTS 5

(Gleanings From the Book of Hebrews)

“This is what the scripture says: “If you hear God’s voice today, do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God.”

Hebrews 3:15 (Good News Translation)

DON’T DOUBT GOD’S WORD!

Some assume these warnings are legalistic and not grace-centered.

There are countless warnings to the saints in the apostolic writings.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:17 (ESV)

The scriptures establish doctrines, provide exhortation, equip, rebuke, correct, give Prophetic warning and beseech.

The Grace of God doesn’t watch on for wrongs to prevail. The Grace of God is God’s solution to man’s weakness and ungodliness.

In the epistle Paul (the apostle of the Grace of God) wrote to Titus, he explained one of the functions of Grace in the lives of the saints:

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” Titus 2:11-14 (KJV)

Whenever you see a warning in the scriptures, it is important for you to give a careful look at it. You overlook such warnings at your own peril.

Warnings are cautions to keep you away from danger. Warnings are put up because there is the possibility someone may become a victim of those dangers.

Don’t ever turn away from certain warnings, and most importantly, when the warning signs are prevalent. The warnings become intense when the consequences may be drastic.

Especially with the warnings in the epistles. And even the ones we are presently looking into in this series of “5 BETTER NOTS”.

Just in Hebrews 3, you will see a repetition of the same warning.

– Verses 7-8 (NKJV): “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:“ Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness”

– Verses 12-13 (NKJV): “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.“

– Verse 15, as we have in the opening verse: “while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.“

When you are driving on a highway and in the direction you are heading you see a road sign with an indication, “ROAD CONSTRUCTION AHEAD” it’s to help you know what you have ahead. The moment you start seeing “SLOW DOWN”, at least twice or thrice, it means you are close to the construction site. You will be driving above the speed limit which may be indicated at your own risk.

To save yourself from any form of danger you have to observe and give attention to the warning signs.

One of the crucial warning signs we see in Hebrews 3 is “DON’T DOUBT THE WORD OF GOD”.

Beloved, to doubt the Word of God is to harden your heart and walk in unbelief.

The word of God cannot germinate or become fruitful in a hardened heart. To harden your heart is to set yourself against what God has said.

To walk in unbelief is ruinous. To walk in unbelief is to live contrary to faith. And a life which is not of faith does not please God.

“But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that He is, and is a rewarder to them that seek Him” Hebrews 11:6 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

The derelict consequence of unbelief or a hardness of heart is not caused by God. It is caused by the condition of your heart. The adversary knows how much God loves you. But also knows how God’s love cannot legally flourish in your heart when you deny and doubt its working ability.

To have the word of God yield results in your life, you must refuse to doubt what God has said.

Sometimes the challenges may seem to be overwhelming but don’t be moved by what you see.

Stay GRIT in the Word of God.

Hallelujah!