James Chapter 3 Part 2

 

James Chapter 3 Part 2

Taming the Tongue

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Jas 3:11

Doth a fountain... Questions 12. Next, Jas. 3:13. Nothing has been found in nature that can compare to the double use of the tongue—to the blessing and cursing out of the same mouth.

Four Comparisons (Jas. 3:11-12):

1. A fountain cannot produce sweet and bitter water at the same time

2. A fig tree cannot produce olives

3. A vine cannot produce figs

4. The ocean cannot produce sweet water

A fountain does not produce both bitter and sweet water at the same time. The well spoken of here, is the heart of man. Look at what Jesus said about this.

Matthew 12:34 “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

It is more than obvious in all this; a tongue that speaks evil comes from an impure heart.

Again James turned to the natural elements to illustrate his point. Anticipating a negative response, James asked, Can both fresh (lit., “sweet,” glyky) water and salt (lit., “bitter,” pikron) water flow, or “bubble up,” from the same spring?

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Jas 3:12

Can the fig... Questions 13. Next, Jas. 3:14. Nothing has been found in nature that can compare to the double use of the tongue—to the blessing and cursing out of the same mouth.

The last clause (of verse 12), differs from those that precede it. The former are questions that attempt to illustrate; this one is a statement to teach. As salt water cannot make sweet water, so the person who curses others cannot bless God. The cursing of people truly indicates what lies within a person.

There are many who profess Christianity who is not truly sold out to Christ. We are what we are in our inner man. The heart of man is the determining factor. This is one of the main reasons why I believe a person who is sold out to God cannot be possessed of a devil.

Light and darkness cannot dwell in the same place; the darkness is overcome by the Light. We must decide whether we will follow God, or whether we will follow Lucifer. We cannot do both. The Light of God, within us, does away with all darkness. The Light represents the sweet water. Darkness and salt water go hand in hand.

Can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Of course not. Neither does salt (halykon) make water sweet (glyky). The point is clear: a believer’s tongue should not be an instrument of inconsistency.

Small and influential, the tongue must be controlled; satanic and infectious, the tongue must be corralled; salty and inconsistent, the tongue must be cleansed.

Wisdom from Above

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. Jas 3:13

Who is a... Questions 14. Next, Jas. 3:15. Nothing has been found in nature that can compare to the double use of the tongue—to the blessing and cursing out of the same mouth.

a wise man... One who can bridle his own tongue and is qualified to teach others. “Wise” is the common Greek word for speculative knowledge and philosophy, but the Hebrews infused it with the much richer meaning of skillfully applying knowledge to the matter of practical living.

a good conversation... Greek: anastrophe, conduct; behavior. The word for “understanding” is used only here in the New Testament and means a specialist or professional who could skillfully apply his expertise to practical situations. James is asking who is truly skilled in the art of living.

with meekness of... True wisdom is always accompanied with meekness and gentleness. Scholars are sometimes proud, overbearing, and disdainful. Such men have education, but not true wisdom. This is the opposite of arrogance and self-promotion. The Greeks described it as power under control.

Beginning (at verse 13), James says that godly wisdom is necessary in a teacher. The teacher must exhibit a meek and practical application of the truth. One cannot teach what one does not live.

Wisdom, the kind that comes only from God, is a gift from God. Those who have wisdom, and the Holy Spirit has given them knowledge of God’s Word, show the world by their actions and their speech, they are believers.

This is just saying, your life and your speech will reveal to those around you, who you are in Christ. Bragging of your position with Christ has no place. Those who truly have a wonderful relation with Christ do not need to brag. They are generally humble people who just love God.

Cultivate thought

A key to right talk is right thought. The tongue is contained in a cage of teeth and lips, but it still escapes. It is not intelligence that keeps the lock on that cage; it is wisdom — a wisdom that is characterized by humility, grace, and peace.

Wisdom Is Humble

James asked the rhetorical question, Who is wise and understanding among you? “Wise” (sophos; cf. sophias in Jas. 1:5) describes one with moral insight and skill in the practical issues of life. “Understanding” (epistēmōn) refers to intellectual perception and scientific acumen.

Let him show it. Here is an original “show and tell.” Wisdom is not measured by degrees but by deeds. It is not a matter of acquiring truth in lectures but of applying truth to life. The good life and deeds are best portrayed in the humility of wisdom, or “wise meekness” (prautēti sophias). The truly wise man is humble.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Jas 3:14

But if ye... If you have this condition of heart, you don’t have true wisdom. Even if you defend religion, you are false in your profession and lie against the truth.

bitter envying and... Eight characteristics of false wisdom:

1. Bitter envying (Jas. 3:14, 3:16). Greek: zelos.

2. Strife in the heart (Jas. 3:14, 3:16)

3. Glory in profession (Jas. 3:14)

4. Earthly, having this life only in view (Jas. 3:15)

5. Sensual, living only to satisfy the animal appetites (Jas. 3:15)

6. Devilish, inspired by demons (Jas. 3:15)

7. Confusion (Jas. 3:16)

8. Every evil work (Jas. 3:16)

The Greek term for “bitter” was used of undrinkable water. When combined with “jealousy” it defines a harsh resentful attitude toward others.

strife in your... refers to self-seeking that engenders antagonistic and factionalism. The Greek word came to describe anyone who entered politics for selfish reasons and sought to achieve his agenda at any cost. (i.e. even if that means trampling on others).

Each of us has his own special place with Christ. He has not called us to the same job as someone else. We should never look at someone else and be jealous, or want what they have. To want something someone else has, even if it is their relation with Christ, is coveting. God called each of us to do a job for Him that He could entrust us with.

Wisdom Is Gracious

True wisdom makes no room for bitter envy (“zealous jealousy”) or for selfish ambition (“factious rivalry,” erithian, from eritheuō, “to spin wool,” thus working for personal gain). This is nothing to glory about. To boast (lit., “exult,” katakauchasthe) in such attitudes is to deny, or “lie against,” the truth.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Jas 3:15

not from above... Self-centered wisdom that is consumed with personal ambition is not from God.

earthly, sensual, devilish... A description of man’s wisdom as:

(1) Limited to earth;

(2) Characterized by humanness, frailty, an unsanctified heart, and an unredeemed spirit; and

(3) General by Satan’s forces (1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 11:14-15).

Bitterness and strife of all kinds come from the devil. All things that please the flesh are earthy, or of this earth. The spiritual things are not based on things of the earth. Lucifer was jealous and wanted to be God.

You can see that this type of earthly wisdom and power is not spiritual. We must come out of the world (Egypt), before we can go to the Promised Land (heaven). We must do away with all desires of the flesh to be of God.

Envy and strife are clear indicators that one’s so-called wisdom is not from above (cf. Jas. 1:17), but is earthly, unspiritual (“natural, sensual,” psychikē), and of the devil (“demonic,” daimoniōdēs).

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. Jas 3:16

there is confusion... This is the confusion that results for the instability and chaos of human wisdom.

every evil work... Literally “every worthless (or vile), work.” This denotes things that are not so much intrinsically evil as they are simply good for nothing.

The natural man does not receive the things of God. Envy and strife are of the flesh. We must crucify the flesh to live with Christ. Envy causes many other sins. Christians are in this world, but we should not be controlled by earthly desires.

Envy and selfish ambition, or rivalry, can only produce disorder, or confusion, and every evil practice. A truly wise person does not seek glory or gain; he is gracious and giving.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Jas 3:17

wisdom that is... Eight characteristics of divine wisdom:

1. Pure—chaste, holy and clean

2. Peaceable (Heb. 12:14)

3. Gentle—meek, modest, and kind

4. Easily entreated—not stubborn or obstinate, but yielding to others

5. Full of mercy—always forgiving and performing acts of kindness

6. Full of good fruits (Gal. 5:22-23)

7. Without partiality—having no respect of persons (Jas. 2:1-10)

8. Without hypocrisy—open, honest, genuine, and true

is first pure... This refers to spiritual integrity and moral sincerity. Every genuine Christian has this kind of heart motivation (Psm. 24:3-4; 51:7; Mat. 5:8; Rom. 7:22-23; Heb. 12:14).

then peaceable... Means “peace loving” or “peace promoting” (Mat. 5:9).

gentle and easy... This word is difficult to translate, but most nearly means a character trait of sweet reasonableness. Such a person will submit to all kinds of mistreatment and difficulty with an attitude of kind, courteous, patient humility, without any thought of hatred or revenge (Mat. 5:10-11).

to be entreated,... Meaning willing to yield. The original term described someone who was teachable, compliant, easily persuaded, and who willingly submitted to military discipline or moral and legal standards. For believers, it defines obedience to God’s standards (Mat. 3:5).

full of mercy... The gift of showing concern for those who suffer pain and hardship, and the ability to forgive quickly (Mat. 5:7; Rom. 12:8).

and without hypocrisy... The Greek word occurs only here in the New Testament and denotes a consistent, unwavering person who is undivided in his commitment and conviction and does not make unfair distinctions.

Notice the word “but” in the verse above. It shows a direct contrast to the earthly man. This has jumped to those who are sold out to God. The wisdom from above comes to the believers. This wisdom is stored in a heart that is pure. Knowing of the security that is in Christ brings peace. When we are at peace with God and man, we are gentle.

If we expect God to be merciful to us, we must be merciful to others. Christians should bear good fruit. You cannot be a Christian and a hypocrite at the same time. A true Christian is 100% the Lord’s.

Wisdom Is Peaceable

Wisdom that comes from heaven (lit., “wisdom from above”; cf. “from above” in Jas. 1:17) is first… pure or “holy” (hagnē), then peace-loving, considerate or “forbearing,” submissive or “easy to be entreated” (eupeithēs, only used here in the NT), full of mercy and good fruit, impartial (lit., “without uncertainty”; cf. “not doubt” in Jas. 1:6), and sincere (“without hypocrisy”).

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Jas 3:18

And the fruit... Peacemakers are continually recommending this divine wisdom to others.

Good works that result from salvation (verse 17, Mat. 5:6; Gal. 5:22-23; Phil. 1:11).

them that make... Righteousness flourishes in a climate of spiritual peace.

Mat. 5:9 “Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

John 4:36 “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”

Peace is the seed sown that yields a harvest (lit., “fruit”) of righteousness. The truly wise man is a man of peace.

To achieve “righteousness,” spiritual maturity, practical holiness — the theme of this book — a believer must learn to speak with care. Winsome speech comes from a wise spirit. A controlled tongue is possible only with cultured thought. A mouth filled with praise results from a mind filled with purity.

A believer should stand confidently (Jas. 1:1-27), serve compassionately (Jas. 2:1-26), and speak carefully (Jas. 3:1-18). He should be what God wants him to be, do what God wants him to do, and speak as God wants him to speak.

Hebrews Chapter 3 Part 2

 

Hebrews Chapter 3 Part 2

A Rest for the People of God

So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Heb 3:11

into my rest... The earthly rest which God promised to give was life in the land of Canaan which Israel would receive as their inheritance (Deut. 12:9-10; Joshua 2:44; 1 Kings 8:56). Because of rebellion against God, an entire generation of the children of Israel was prohibited from entering that rest in the Promised Land (Deut. 28:65; Lam. 1:3).

The application of this picture is to an individual’s spiritual rest in the Lord, which has precedent in the Old Testament (Psm. 116:7; Isa. 28:12). At salvation, every believer enters the true rest, the realm of spiritual promise, never again, laboring to achieve through personal effort a righteousness that pleases God.

The Lord wanted both kinds of rest for that generation who was delivered from Egypt.

Not only for the people then, but for the Christians now, there is a Sabbath of rest. Many call this Sabbath of rest for the Christian, the millennium reign of Christ. Notice in this next verse, there is a Sabbath for believers.

Hebrews 4:3 “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”

Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

I believe this 1000-year rest for the Christian will occur at the end of 6000 years of labor on the earth. In fact, I believe we are very near that time now. It has been just about 6000 years since Adam and Eve. God set everything up on this earth for 6 days of work and one day of rest.

It really does not matter whether that day is 24 hours long or 1000 years long. God does not measure time the same way we do. With Him 1000 years can be a day.

2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

To drive home his call to fidelity and to warn of the consequences of unbelieving infidelity, the author referred to the classic failure of Israel at Kadesh Barnea which led to their 40-year detour in the wilderness. Far from being an ideal period of Israel’s history, as some sectarians seem to have held, it was an era marked by tragic loss and defeat.

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

Take heed, brethren... Here Paul again warns brethren—Christians—by the examples of Israel’s failures in the wilderness. They were brought out of Egypt with the fullest assurance of blessing, prosperity, and eternal rest. By their sin and unbelief they came short of the promised blessings, fell in the wilderness, and were cut off from God. Paul states plainly that Christians—born-again or saved men—can also return to an evil heart of unbelief, depart from the living God, be hardened by deceitfulness of sin, be cut off by God, and be finally lost (Heb. 3:12-14). This admonition is addressed to those having the same potential characteristics as the generation which perished in the wilderness without ever seeing the Land of Promise. They were unbelieving Jewish brethren who were in the company of the “holy brethren” (verse 1). They were admonished to believe and be saved before it was too late.

lest there be... Seven stages of apostasy:

1. Refusal to hear God (Heb. 3:7)

2. Hardness of heart through refusal to hear and obey God (Heb. 3:8, 3:13, 3:15)

3. Unbelief a consequence of hardening the heart against God (Heb. 3:12)

4. Departure from the living God (Heb. 3:12)

5. Open rebellion against God to provoke and tempt Him (Heb. 3:8-9, 3:16)

6. Habitual sinning, careless living, and flagrant violation of God’s laws (Heb. 3:10, 3:17)

7. Apostasy—all faith in God and His redemptive work thrown overboard—beyond all hope of repentance because of no more faith (Heb. 3:11, 3:18-19)

an evil heart... All men are born with such a heart (Jer. 17:9). In the case of these Hebrews, that evil manifested itself in disbelief of the gospel which moved them in the opposite way from God.

Mark 7:21-23 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders.” “Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:” “All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

We are born in sin, and all our life long, the lust of the flesh tries to draw us away from God. When we become a Christian, we become a new creature in Christ. The desire of our heart should be to please God. We may sin sometime or other and quickly repent, but it must not be the desire of our heart to sin. We must not have a sinful way of life.

See to it, brothers introduces the author’s application of his text to his Christian readership. Neither here nor anywhere else in his letter did the writer betray the slightest suspicion that his audience might contain people who were not real Christians. Instead, they were regarded as “brothers” (as here) or as “holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1). The widespread view that he was concerned about mere professors of the faith as over against genuine believers is not found in the text.

Each Christian brother, therefore, should be most careful to guard against a sinful, unbelieving heart which God’s flock in the wilderness displayed, the kind of heart that turns away from the living God.

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

exhort one another... This is further proof that Christians are referred to. Sinners are not advised to exhort one another daily, neither can they revert to sin and depart from the living God, for they are already estranged from God.

Both individual accountability and corporate responsibility are intended in this admonition. As long as the distressing days were upon them and they were tempted to return to the ineffective Levitical system, they were to encourage one another to identify completely with Jesus Christ. Same for us.

You be hardened... Repeated rejection of the gospel concerning Jesus results in a progressive hardening of the heart and will ultimately result in outright antagonism to the gospel (6:4-6; 10:26-29; Acts 19:9).

deceitfulness of sin... Sin lies and deceives, using every trickery and stratagem possible (Rom. 7:11; 2 Thess. 2:10; Jas. 1:14-16). The Hebrews deceived themselves with the reasoning that their rejection of Jesus Christ was being faithful to the older system.

Their willingness to hang on to the Levitical system was really a rejection of the living Word (4:12), of the “living God” (verse 12), who through Christ had opened up a “new and living way” (10:20). Choosing the path of unbelief always leads only to death (verse 17; 10:26-29; 2:14-15; Jude 5).

2 Tim. 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

We are warned over and over in the Bible to make use of today, because we have no idea whether there will even be a tomorrow or not. Do not put off salvation, this might be your last opportunity. When Jesus returns, we are to be working trying to get one more into the kingdom.

Accordingly they were to encourage one another daily… so that none would be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Heb. 3:13). This exhortation is still completely pertinent to any local congregation at the present time, where the hardening tendencies of sin can often be counteracted by truly concerned fellow Christians. The expression as long as it is called Today alludes to the “Today” in Psm. 95:7 and means something like “while you still have opportunity.”

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Heb 3:14

For we are... After warning Christians that they can fall into sin and apostasy and be cut off from God by sin, as Israel was, the apostle lays down the condition they must meet to be finally saved. It is to hold the original "confidence stedfast unto the end." See, Heb. 3:6.

The exhortation is similar to (verse 6), as it repeats the theme of perseverance.

One’s conversion to Christ, which occurred in days’ past (“we are made partakers of Christ”), is proved to have been genuine by perseverance in the days to come (“if we hold … our confidence stedfast unto the end”). This means that continuance in the faith is to test of the reality of one’s faith in Christ.

Jesus’ salvation is offered to everyone, but only those who take it, have it. Notice from this verse above, that we are not only to receive it, but to hold fast to it. This is what I call walking in the salvation the Lord has given us. It really is a daily struggle. Even Paul, said that at times his flesh got in the way.

Romans 7:19-20 “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” “Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”

This does not mean that Paul was a sinful man; it just means that once in a while his flesh (for a moment), would overcome his spirit. Paul lived as good as anyone could. He said, at the end that he had run the good race and had a crown of glory awaiting him. Paul had no desire in his heart to sin.

If we are a Christian, that should be the way we live, too. We should, all the time, desire to live a pleasing life to God.

Gal. 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Christ is in us and we are in Him, if we are Christians. We are grafted into the Tree of Life which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

The statement, we have come to share in Christ might be more literally rendered, “we are partners with the Christ.” The word “the” found in the original probably gives to “Christ” the sense of “the Messiah.” In the word “partners” the reader meets again the Greek metochoi, used in Heb. 1:9 and Heb. 3:1 of the “companions” of the messianic King. Once again, the writer reverted to the supreme privilege of being among the “many sons” whom God is bringing to the glory of shared dominion over the created order which Christ is destined to rule. But again too, like the privilege of serving in the priestly house (Heb. 3:6), this role is contingent on continuing fidelity: if we hold firmly to the end the confidence we had at first. In this connection, Rev. 2:26-27 comes readily to mind: “To him who overcomes and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations — he will rule them with an iron scepter.”

While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Heb 3:15

To day if...The 12th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (Heb. 3:15; Psm. 95:7-8, fulfilled). Next, Heb. 4:7. This is the third time today is used to emphasize it is the present when God’s voice is heard (Heb. 3:7, 3:13, 3:15). Make the best of time while you have it; listen to God.

Gal. 3:11 “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

Provocation in this particular passage means irritation. Do not get irritated with God. Many times, when someone very close to you dies, you first get irritated at the one who died, and then wind up getting irritated with God about the death. For the natural man, this is a normal thing to do.

This is not a good thing for a Christian to do. God loves us and has our best interest at heart. He did not take your loved one to get even with you. Don’t turn against God when you need Him the most. He is our Comfort. If there is ever a time to be irritated with anyone, we should be irritated with our own short comings.

The renewed quotation of part of the writer’s text in Psm. 95:1-11 connects with the caution just uttered in Heb. 3:6. The readers must hold their confidence firmly to the end and not, like the Israelites of old, harden their hearts as… in the rebellion.

For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. Heb 3:16

We should learn a lesson from these Israelites. Every time a little hardship arose they blamed God. They angered God many times during the forty years they travelled through the wilderness.

The trip could have easily been made in less than 6 months, but they sinned over and over and God caused them to wander until all of those who had doubted that they could take the land had died off.

God forgave them over and over, just like He does us, but there was a day of reckoning and there will be one for us too. Someday, God will say that is enough. God is a forgiving God, but He is also a God of Judgment.

1 Corinthians 10:1-11 “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;” “And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” “And did all eat the same spiritual meat;” “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” “But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.” “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” “Neither be ye idolaters, as [were] some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” “Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.” “Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.” “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” “Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

Having alluded again to the passage he wished to expound, the author then began doing so. The questions in Heb. 3:16 seem more naturally read as statements: “For some, when they had heard, did provoke; howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.” The writer is aware of the notable exceptions of Joshua and Caleb, who did not take part in the general failure.

But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? Heb 3:17

But with whom... Questions 8-10. Next, Heb. 7:11.

We see a strong warning in this that we are forewarned. These examples of how they failed should help us not make these same mistakes. Look now at the hope in Jesus.

1 Cor. 10:12-13 ” Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].”

God will help us, if we will let Him. Stay in the will of the Lord and you cannot fail.

The writer is aware of the notable exceptions of Joshua and Caleb, who did not take part in the general failure as we have noted above. But then he asked, With whom was God angry for 40 years? The answer is that He was angry with those in the wilderness congregation who sinned and who died in that wilderness, we need to not fall into this category.

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? Heb 3:18

sware he that... God Still Swears That

1. The soul that sinneth, it shall surely die (Eze. 18:4).

2. Whosoever sinneth against Me, him will I blot out of My book (Exo. 32:32-33; Rev. 3:5; 22:19).

3. When a righteous man sins he will die for his iniquity (Eze. 18:26; 33:18).

4. The wages of sin is death Rom. 6:23; 8:12-13; Gal. 5:21; 6:7-8).

5. If you live after the flesh you will die (Rom. 8:12-13).

6. The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God (1Cor. 6:9-11).

7. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy (1Cor. 3:17; 6:9-11; Rom. 8:12-13; Rev. 21:8).

8. They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21).

9. They that commit such things are worthy of death (Rom. 1:21-32).

10. If we deny Him he also will deny us (2Thess. 2:12).

11. Every man will be judged according to his deeds (Rom. 2:6).

12. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption (Gal. 6:7-8).

These scriptures and many others like them apply to everybody. God is under oath to enforce these laws regardless of who is guilty, a sinner or professing Christian.

The ticket into heaven, is faith in Jesus Christ.

Heb. 11:6 “But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Their disobedience in refusing to enter the Promised Land caused God to swear that they would never enter His rest. This meant of course that the sinful generation in the desert was permanently excluded from taking possession of their inheritance in Canaan. Naturally it had nothing to do with the question of their going to hell, so it would be wrong to allege that the entire Exodus generation was unregenerate. But exclusion from Canaan was a consequence of their lack of faith in the power of God to bring them into it in victory over their enemies, a failure that in principle might be repeated by the readers of Hebrews if they forgot Messiah’s ultimate triumph over His enemies and theirs (cf. Heb. 1:13-14).

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Heb 3:19

Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

This is just about as clear as it could be made, those who do not have faith in Jesus Christ will wind up in hell. To be saved, we must believe in our heart and confess with our mouth. One more time I will give my favorite Scripture on this.

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Live for God. Live your faith in Jesus Christ every day. Be a separated people for Christ.

The writer wished his readers to take it to heart that unbelief, lack of confidence in God, was the reason God’s people did not enter the land.

Romans Chapter 7 Vs. 10

 

The Law and Sin

And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. Rom 7:10

commandment which was... The commandment condemned and killed me.

The law was first given to help people understand what the will of God was and show that it was possible to please God by keeping His commandants.

Perfect obedience to the law could bring eternal life, and with it happiness and holiness. But no one except Christ could or has ever fully obeyed it.

Thus the law was our schoolmaster to show us that we needed Christ as the only way to eternal life.

Repeating from Rom. 7:8 his description of sin’s relationship to the commandment, Paul declared that sin… deceived me. Apart from the Law, the principle of sin was dormant and inactive; but using the commandments of the Law, it demonstrated its controlling force over one’s actions.

Daniel Chapter 9 Vs. 20

Gabriel Brings an Answer

Daniel 9:20 "And whiles I [was] speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God;"




Daniel’s prayer included confession of his sin and the sin of his people, and his request that God restore Jerusalem (God’s holy hill).

The Response of the Lord 

Daniel’s prayer included confession of his sin and the sin of his people, and his request that God restore Jerusalem (God’s holy hill).

Romans Chapter 7 Vs. 9

 

The Law and Sin

For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. Rom 7:9

For I was... When we were without the law, we did not have a lack of concern for the law but a purely external, imperfect conception of it.

the commandment came,... When God’s law came, men began to understand the true requirements of God’s moral law at some point prior to their conversion. He then began to realize his true condition as a desperately wicked sinner.

sin revived, and... Greek: anazao, to live again. Only here; Rom. 14:9; Luke 15:24, 15:32; Rev. 20:5.

and I died... With the words “I died”, it was then that man realized his deadness spiritually, that all his religious credentials and accomplishments were rubbish.

Some generalize the words, Once I was alive apart from Law, to refer to the experience of mankind in the period between the Fall and the giving of the Mosaic Law. But there is no basis for this. Evidently the apostle was speaking of his personal experience as a child and perhaps even a youth prior to his awareness and understanding of the full impact of God’s commandments. The clause, but when the commandment came, does not speak of the giving of the Mosaic Law, but the dawning of the significance of the commandment (“Do not covet”) on Paul’s mind and heart before his conversion. The result was that the principle of sin within made its presence and power known (it sprang to life) in his violations of the commandment.

Daniel Chapter 9 Vs. 19

Daniel's Prayer for His People

Daniel 9:19 "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name."




O Lord hear... Daniel intercedes in prayer to God with all the strength he has. Look at the progression of the prayer. Hear, forgive, hearken and do, don't put it off, is his request. He knows God still loves them, so Daniel says, for thine own sake. All the people of the world associate the Hebrews and Jerusalem with God.

called by thy... Upon which Your name has been called.



Daniel based his requests on God’s great mercy (cf. Dan. 9:9), not on the nation’s righteousness for she had none. But because God is merciful and forgiving, he prayed, O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! Concerned for God’s reputation, Daniel wanted the Lord to act quickly (do not delay) on behalf of the city and people that bore His name. All this would bring glory to God for it was for His sake (cf. Dan. 9:17).

Romans Chapter 7 Vs. 8

 

The Law and Sin

But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. Rom 7:8

Sin, taking occasion... Sin is here pictured as a self-acting spirit which at one time controlled Paul and worked in him all manner of concupiscence or sinful lusts. It used the coming of the commandment as an occasion to assert its control over his life not letting him obey the law. Sin was not active before the law came for it had no reason to assert its power until then. But as soon as the commandment came forbidding certain things, sin came to life and by its lusts made him break the law so that he would have to pay the death penalty (Rom. 7:8-9).

manner of concupiscence... Concupiscence means lust, or a desire for things that are forbidden. Sometimes the forbidden is the very thing the flesh lusts for.

Sin uses the specific requirements of the law as a base of operation from which to launch its evil work. Confronted by God’s law, the sinner’s rebellious nature finds the forbidden thing more attractive, not because it is inherently attractive, but because it furnishes an opportunity to assert one’s self will.

sin was dead... Meaning not lifeless or nonexistent, but dormant. When the law comes, sin becomes fully active and overwhelms the sinner.

Paul knew sin as a principle and specifically, covetousness as an expression of it, and that knowledge came through the Law. Paul described how it worked. The indwelling principle of sin, seizing the opportunity (lit., “taking a start point” [aphormēn, a base for military operations or for an expedition]) afforded by the commandment (cf. Rom. 7:11), produced in me every kind of covetous desire. The Law is not the cause of the act of sin; the principle or nature of sin within an individual is. But the Law’s specific commandments stimulate the sin principle into acts that violate the commandments and give those acts the character of transgression (Rom. 4:15; cf. 3:20; 5:13, 5:20). As Paul concluded, Apart from Law, sin is dead. This does not mean that sin has no existence without the Law (cf. Rom. 5:13), but that without the Law sin is less active, for the Law arouses “sinful passions” (Rom. 7:5).

It is significant that, beginning with Rom. 7:7 and continuing through this chapter, the Apostle Paul turned to the first person singular, presenting his personal experience. Up to this point he had used the third person, the second person, and even the first person plural. But now he described his own experience, allowing the Holy Spirit to apply the truth to his readers.

Daniel Chapter 9 Vs. 18

 Daniel's Prayer for His People

Daniel 9:18 "O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies."

Dan. 9:17-19 have in them a tone of anguish which reminds us of our Lord’s words as to the violence which takes the kingdom of heaven by force. God loves to see us in dead earnest. It is not long but strong prayers that prevail with Him. He sometimes seems to deny us, that He may draw us out in supplication. Notice the response to such prayer. Before it was spoken, it was granted, Dan. 9:23. Before Daniel called, he was answered, and while he was yet speaking, he was heard. Pray on! God is more eager to hear and to bless us than we are to pray. Even now the divine answer is hastening towards thee, swifter than the speed of the morning beams across the vault of space. While we are speaking in prayer, nay, before the beginning of our supplication, the angel is sent out, and he is made to fly very swiftly. Six purposes were to be effected within 490 years from a specified date. Some refer these to final Jewish restoration, but for this the last week of the seventy has to be separated from the rest and postponed till “the end of the age.” It is more natural to understand the passage as describing here Christ’s finished work, and thus we avoid impairing the definiteness of the prophecy by indefinitely prolonging it.

No one, then or now, want to be judged by his own righteousness. We do not want justice, we want mercy. Daniel appeals to the mercy of God toward His people and His city. Daniel cries out, "O my God". Whatever the answer, God is still Daniel's God.

And he wanted God to hear his request (give ear) and to see (open Your eyes) the city’s desolation. Interestingly Daniel did not specify what God should do; he only asked that God “look” on the sanctuary and “see” the city, both in desolation for many years.