Lesson from Hebrews

Tonight we had bible study and I was struck by the message of the first two lessons.

#1 Don't ignore salvation.
Hebrews 1:3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

#2 Don't stop believing.
Hebrews 4:12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.^[f] Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

Our Bible Study leader summed these 2 lessons up as "Trust and Obey" in that order. You must know that you can trust and once you know that, it is possible to obey and be faithful to the end.

Another enlightenment was regarding God's rest. Hebrews is written to believers and so the following passage is not saying that believers have rest while non-believers do not. It is saying that some believers have rest, while other believers do not.

Hebrews 4: 1 God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. 2 For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.^[a] 3 For only we who believe can enter his rest.

What is the difference between rest and no rest - belief - belief in every little decision, belief and trust and faith in God's control and love for us. When we quit trying to take care of things for ourselves, quit worrying, quit forcing God to the side - we get to live a life full of His rest. This is so cool, because as we rest in Him - He can more fully use us to bring Him glory and bring life to this Earth.

God be with us as we run the good race! May we find ourselves wrapped in grace, love, peace and trust - able to do the good work that God has designed us to do!