Hebrews 4:8-13
Part of being a Christian is to put others before self,
sounds easy, but it goes off message from what we have seen and learned in our
self absorbed culture, or as the Scripture states, in this present
darkness. To do an act of
righteousness, with no thought of a return on your investment, of money, or
time, only because the thought came into your mind, that is what Jesus would
have me do. Once we set out minds
on serving, and not to be noticed, or to win the approval of someone other than
God the Father; we begin to enter His rest by faith. Redemption was an act of
Jesus Christ for the sin of humanity by His death on the cross, but as a
believer, all around us is a world in decline, and our job is to be light in
this present darkness. Our calling
is to tell the world that we come in contact with, that they must cease trusting
in their work for redemption, and look only to the finished work of
Christ. That is my take on verses
8-11, and yet that is a total impossibility without a full understanding and
trust in verses 12 and 13.
“For the word of God is living
and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul
and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and
intentions of the heart. And
no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes
of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13) My dear friend Carroll Ray Jr. referred
often to this as the Manufactures handbook on living life on planet earth. It tells us that in the beginning there
was God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God with three personalities,
and three different tasks or functions, but in total oneness and purpose. It gives us insight into the creation
and the Creator, and we have a glimpse of life without sin, and the deception
and enticement of sin, the fall of man as sin entered the world. We have many accounts of God coming to
men like Abraham and Moses; examples of God using men to lead a fallen people
back to Him. It shows us the
intent of man is evil, bent on being in control of His life, of being his on
little god. But it also shows us
the love of the Father, the love of the Creator for His creation, and the price
that He was willing to pay to buy us back out of sin. It is a guide on life, it gives us instruction on how to
love our wife, or husband, our children, and our neighbors. It gives clear instruction on the
workplace, and how we are to conduct business, on wealth and possessions and
how they are to be used. It
teaches us that life is not about acquiring stuff, but seeking and worshiping
God and being content with all that you have been given. It is a handbook about living life, not
on just making it through another day.
It is about having a relationship with your Creator and enjoying His
fellowship; it is worth your reading and asking the Author to open your heart
to the many truths that are there for the true seeker.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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