Remaining Steadfast In God

“For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end. As it says, “Oh , that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For which ones heard and rebelled? Was it not all who came out of Egypt under Moses’ leadership? And against whom was God provoked for forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear they would never enter into his rest, except those who were disobedient? So we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:14-19 NET

Have we merely become partners with Christ, or have we been given something greater? The original audience of Hebrews was Jewish and deeply understood the references being made. The writer skillfully tailors the message to resonate with them. In reality, we are far more than partners; we are sons and daughters, heirs to the incredible work of Christ on earth. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are restored to the pure state that existed in Eden. The writer introduces the concept of partnership to draw them in, but he also recognizes the importance of explaining the reasons behind their ancestors' rebellion after their liberation from Egypt. This context sets the stage for a more profound understanding of our relationship with Christ.

Throughout history, we see that as the children of Israel left Egypt under Moses’ leadership, he powerfully illustrated that the God of Israel far surpasses the Egyptian gods through miraculous signs and devastating plagues. Each plague carefully dismantled the authority of a specific Egyptian deity, showcasing the supremacy of Israel’s God. At the same time, these miracles signified God's profound love for His people, affirming His desire to be their God.

What remains crucial in this journey is the call for believing loyalty in God. This timeless demand has persisted from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The writer compellingly urges us to hold firmly to our initial confidence until the very end. But what does this “end” imply? Is it referring to our individual deaths or is it referring to the ultimate conclusion of time? Given that Chapter One indicates we are living in the last days, I strongly lean towards the latter interpretation.

One powerful message the writer conveys is that God’s liberation of Israel from bondage was rooted in His deep love for them, not in their own strong faith. In truth, their faith was weak, as expressed in the writer’s sorrowful plea, “Oh, that you would turn to Him as He speaks.” This reference to their stubbornness and rebellion illustrates that they followed Moses primarily for personal gain rather than out of heartfelt devotion to God. The writer implores, “Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,” reminding them that God’s love has been richly poured into their hearts through the sacrificial love of Jesus.

Furthermore, through the prophet Ezekiel, God promises us that by His love, “I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26, NET). This transformation is entirely God’s work, requiring nothing from His people except belief. God will handle the rest. This compelling promise when embraced reinforces the urgent appeal: “So do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Was it not those who left Egypt? When we focus on God’s benefits instead of being motivated by His unconditional love, we risk losing sight of His true character. God embodies love that is complete, without judgment or punishment.

In the desert, the children of Israel provoked God through their unbelief and lack of loyalty to His promises. They wandered for forty years, not because of punishment, but because God continually provided opportunities for them to reflect and deepen their faith. Yet, they chose to complain and doubt instead.

God longs for His people to experience His rest, which is a call to align with His purpose and become part of His divine family. Unfortunately, the children of Israel resisted this invitation. They grumbled incessantly about the manna provided in the desert, and when they craved meat, even after being given quail to satisfy their desires, they continued to voice their discontent. This persistent dissatisfaction revealed a deeper struggle; they seemed to lack purpose and hope amidst their circumstances. As a result, God declared that they would not enter His rest, meaning an entire generation would forfeit the chance to enter into and experience the Promised Land. This serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's gifts and His desire for us to thrive in His presence.

God’s rest isn't simply about idleness while God takes charge; rather, it's about fully trusting in His divine plan for our lives. We actively engage, but we must also be attuned to His voice as He works through our willingness to obey Him. This understanding helps us realize that every event contributes to our greater good, turning each moment into an opportunity to deepen our trust in Him. By believing in and remaining loyal to His intentions for our lives, we embark on a journey that enriches our relationship with Him, strengthens our faith, and in turn, gives us great joy.

In conclusion, while many distractions can draw us away from our trust in God, the most critical of these is unbelief. This doubt becomes the root cause of much disobedience depicted in the Bible, as all sin ultimately stems from unbelief. When we permit unbelief to creep into our minds, we effectively give room to the Satan's manipulations.

To remain steadfast in our faith, we must be vigilant and place our complete trust in God during every circumstance. This requires us to prioritize Him and understand that His purpose for our lives vastly surpasses our personal desires. By trusting Him, we lay a strong foundation that the enemy cannot shake. Unlike the Satan (or accuser), who offers only empty promises, God is actively shaping our character and forming us into true men and women of faith, demonstrating believing loyalty in our loving Creator.

Stephen Barnett