Church members gathered for Wednesday service on September 27, continuing in the study of the book of Hebrews. The long exhortation against unbelief that started in chapter 3 concludes in Hebrews 4:12-13. Verse 11 tells us take this warning seriously and make every effort to enter God’s rest, which is the aim of our lives and not entering the rest is losing everything. We enter that rest by faith, the opposite of unbelief which was the reason the Israel could not enter. Verse 12 tells specifically to believe and follow the Word of God to guard us against unbelief. The Israel also heard good news but their hearing wasn’t met with faith, so it was of no benefit for them (vs 2). Therefore we must devote ourselves hearing the word of God and trust in his promises above anything else. We must not sell our birthright for a bowl of stew, we must not exchange our eternity for temporary relief or worldly pleasures.

The Word of God is active and alive and penetrates deeply into our hearts, thoughts, intentions, actions, words, our whole being and discerns the truth from the lie, the good from the bad in us. Adam also heard the Word, but was deceived by the serpent. It is the deceitfulness of the sin that produces unbelief in us, just as Hebrews 3:13 told us. Romans 2:15 and 7:21-24 also describe the inner struggle of opposing desires inside of us. Often times we commit sin and try to rationalize it and defend it instead of obeying God’s word. So we can’t really trust our hearts and minds or what other people tell us before we discern those by the Word of God, as everything is uncovered and laid bare before God’s eyes (Hebrews 4:13). And it is better that we let that sword cut and divide now than wait until it’s too late and we have to give Him account of our life. It is the Word of God that guards us against unbelief and discerns our hearts and thoughts and allows us to escape the deceitfulness of sin.