The writer of Hebrews now applies the experience of the wilderness generation to the circumstances of his audience. Like them, the early Christians were in danger of hardening their hearts and being deceived by sin. The only remedy is to open oneself to the power of the word of God which, like a living sword, pierces the human soul to test and purify it.
Main Points:
- Let us make every effort to enter that rest
- Do not harden your hearts
- The word of God is a living sword
Application Questions:
- What does the idea of 'rest' mean to you? How do you experience rest?
- What dimensions of your relationship with God can you appreciate more as you think of your experience of salvation as 'entering God's rest'?
- 'The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword' (Heb 4:12). In what sense can this be a personal reality to you? What would it mean to you to experience teh word of God in such a way?