4.5. KEEP VIGILANT IN OBEDIENCE TO HIM (Hebrews 3:12- 19)

To help us be in obedience we have the direct exhortations of Hebrews 3:12-19.

Hebrews 3:12 "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (KJV)"

	It is brethren who are alerted to the danger of unbelief. Love of the brethren is behind the needed warning.
	It is an evil heart that distrusts our faithful God and High Priest. Not to believe reveals an evil heart condition.
	It is an unbelief that in reality is a departing from the living God. "Depart" 'aphistemi'. The action is to revolt.
	It is unbelief that separates from the living God.

Hebrews 3:13 "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (KJV)

Hardening begins quietly, stealthily, and is a process where sin finds its way into the heart, hardening it day by day while the person in whom it is happening may be more or less unaware of the change taking place. Such is the deceitfulness of sin. Choosing to harden one's own heart against God's will can finally bring one to the place of no longer having a decision, and what was voluntary becomes compulsion. In the case of Pharaoh, he hardened his own heart seven times before God first hardened it. God revealed beforehand that He would harden Pharaoh's heart - He knew Pharaoh would persist in hardening his own heart (Exodus 4:21 ).

We can guard one another by the ministry of encouragement, and exhortation, enlightening one another. When our hearts are open to such warning as given faithfully in this Epistle, it is receiving preventive medicine. While it is still "today" the day of grace, our ministry should be full of hope towards even those who seem the most hardened and deceived by sin.

Hebrews 3:14 "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (KJV)"

Steadfastness of partnership with Christ by the obedience of faith, is the secret of continuing and enduring confidence. It is also the evidence of our salvation, that we have and do hear His voice (Hebrews 3:12; John 10:27 ). Pointed rhetorical questions (Hebrews 3:16-19 ) show the Exodus generation to be highly privileged, yet their corpses fell in the wilderness - hearing God's word, seeing His miracles, but their lack of obedient faith shut them out of God's rest and the land of promise. They remain a warning to all who do not believe - they will not enter God's rest (Hebrews 3:18-19 ). Those who steadfastly look away in faith to Jesus, will know His faithful supply of grace for every need.

4.6. PERSONALLY ENTER HIS REST BY FAITH (Hebrews 4:1-13)

Do not come short of experiencing His rest (Hebrews 4:1 ). God's faithful word was proclaimed to the Exodus generation, and in full truth to us. His word must be responded to with faith. This is conditional to receiving its promises (Hebrews 4:2-3 ).

"Mixed" - 'sugkerannumi' to combine or assimilate, mix and temper together." Strongs Exhaustive Concordance

We profit by the Word when it is properly mixed and blended together with faith.

God's rest, spoken of on the seventh day of creation (Hebrews 4:4-8 ) did not mean God is inactive. Rather He delighted in His work that all He created was good, in that He had provided for every contingency. In the same way God rests in the perfect salvation provided in Christ. We should enter into that sure salvation by personal faith. But more, we can trust God's Word, hearing His voice, and are being led into His rest by obedient occupation in those things that please Him (Hebrews 4:9-11 ).

Hebrews 4:11 "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, ... (KJV)"

Total trust can be put in the Word of God. It is all-searching and senses our deepest, hidden needs. The Spirit of God exposes these inner intents and leads us into His rest (Hebrews 4:12-13 ). Those at rest through faith in Christ can bear on their spirits the uncreated all-seeing light (Hebrews 4:13 ). They rejoice that all is open to His gaze, because they are living the accountable life through Christ living in them. The culmination of that rest of faith will be enjoyed eternally with Him.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What do you need to do, according to Hebrews 3:12-19, that will keep you vigilant in obedience to Him?

2. What do you have to mix with the Word to obtain its profit and promises (Hebrews 4:1-3 )?

3. How would you explain God's rest spoken of on the seventh day of creation (Hebrews 4:4-8 )? Is your rest a delight in the perfect salvation provided in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-11 )?

4. Can you, through the rest of faith, bear on your spirit the uncreated, all-seeing light (Hebrews 4:13 )? Do you live the accountable life through Christ living in you?