Title: Hebrews 4 “Therefore let us fear”
Contents
Hebrews 4 “Therefore let us fear”
In Hebrews 3, the author of the book of Hebrews gave an important admonition to those who were called by heaven to become saints, “Do not harden your heart.” Harden means that the heart becomes harden, stubborn, arrogant, and cold instead of being soft, humble, and warm.
1 “Therefore shall we fear” (1-11)
Here in Chapter 4, warnings and exhortations of the same nature are given. The Bible tells us not to worry or be afraid of food, clothing, shelter, tribulation, or death, but it points out that we should also be anxious and fearful about the church of God or the health and salvation of one's soul. “Do not worry about what you will eat, what you will drink, or what you will wear” (Matthew 6:25). “Rather, there are daily pressing things within me, anxieties for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28). “Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation, which cannot be regretted, but worldly sorrow produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling in obedience always” (Philippians 2:12).
The reason to be afraid is that among those who entered the first rest, there are those who will not be able to enter the second rest. In other words, just as there were some who were saved from the Exodus and did not enter Canaan, so there are those who have been saved by believing in Jesus through the preaching of the gospel in the New Testament era, who will not be able to enter eternal rest. There is still time for rest for God's people who have been saved (9). Therefore, we must strive to enter into that eternal rest. One of those efforts is to keep the Sunday holy now. Formal believers who cannot keep Sunday holy are far from eternal rest. Those who have ears to hear these warnings, let them be heard!
2 “The Word of God is alive and has power” (12-13)
The secret to softening the hardened heart and making the disobedient heart obey is to receive, eat, and experience the Word of God. Because the word of God is living, powerful, and sharper than any sword, it pierces and splits our souls, spirits, hearts, minds, and wills, which have become blunt, hardened, stubborn, and proud, making us soft, humble, and obedient. See Luke 24:32, Acts 2:41, 10:44, Augustine, Luther. Those who do not have the experience of receiving the Word, eating, and receiving grace are far from heaven. Those who do not have (or have lost) such an experience must make a life-and-death decision, kneel before the Word and long for its grace. “I opened my mouth and panted, because I longed for Your commandments” (Psalm 119:131).
3 “Come boldly before the throne of grace” (14-16)
Another secret to softening the hardened heart and making the disobedient heart obedient is to get down on your knees in prayer and come before the throne of grace. Because at the throne of grace is our High Priest, Jesus, who sympathizes with our weaknesses, has compassion, and helps us. He is always living to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25). The book of Hebrews repeatedly tells us to strive to gather together and come before the throne of grace (Hebrews 10:19,25). Those who do not long for the throne of grace and ignore it are far from eternal rest. Those who desire to receive God's mercy and grace to help in time of need must come boldly to the throne of grace. God's mercy and helping grace come to the members who wake up at dawn and go up to Bethel.