Power Finish

“Let us, therefore, fear lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Hebrews 4:1

Incredible Power

In our journey of life, it’s our wish and desire to finish strong, to endure until the end with a divine power. Assuredly, “all power is at the Christian’s demand.”(MH 514) “derived from Christ,” (6T 479) and “promised to the people who proclaim the everlasting gospel. This power alone can give the victory over the enemy.? (TM 459) Furthermore, it “can be bestowed abundantly on persons who come to God in faith.” (5T 157)

There are no systems, principles, or learning in the world that can give this kind of power, for it is divine. But, this power was limited by Israel’s unbelief, and is misused in the world today. For, “this is the word of the Lord, saying, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord.” (Zech 4:6) Although the world today is teetering on the verge of destruction, it is still God?s restraining power that keeps mankind from passing fully into Satan?s control, as the powers of the earth are held in restraint by the angels holding the four winds. (Rev 7:1-3)

Fangless Kings

The Old and New Testament is gorged with many who kept the promises and finished strong, and also others who walked a long way with God, but failed and came to nothing. The peril lay in their lethargy, pride, disbelief, animosities, and disobedience. King Hezekiah, for one, who prayed, and wept, and was added unto his days fifteen years, who sought “peace and truth”, ultimately came to naught with his treasures and power, “coming short of it.” (2 Kings 20:17-19).

Many more bad examples of the kings of Israel existed who were either assassinated, committed suicide, brutally defeated, or pitifully died. Most notably, was King Solomon. For certain, you knew people of high standards, wise, worked for the conversion of others, leaders, experienced, zealous, who came to a standstill, and fell into worldliness with as much zeal as they once had for the Lord and holiness!

Hold Fast

The book of Hebrews reveals a generation who were also a bad example of obedience, and, thusly, we can profit from their grievous mistakes. The Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the wavering Jews was to ?hold fast,? (Heb 3:6), and to “go on to maturity.” (Heb. 6:1) Therefore, the ?better rest for the believer, and the promise of “entering His rest” still stands. (Heb 4) Let us be careful, too, that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.

Dead End

Here is a clear warning of scripture for all of us today. Now, the children of Israel that left Egypt never reached the Promised Land. They were found to have fallen short of it, because of their unbelief. Yet, God brought them safely right up to the borders, but they would still not believe God’s power. We are warned, again and again, not to finish this way, and clearly warned of ?the certainty of God’s messages for today.” (PK 442). However, “the warnings given to the majority of people today will be in vain.”(PP 102-103). There is, however, a promise of rest; “for He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness.”(Psalm 95:7,8) The promise is real, but nevertheless, they did not enter” left out, left behind. But, why didn’t they enter? Well, it’s unfaithfulness! ?Beware brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.” (Heb. 3:12,14).

The Big Lie

The message is simply, clearly stated; to be steadfast until the finish? the end! But, sin had deceived the Israelites; sin presented itself as something that would satisfy them – something of value. Here is the lie and always will be a lie. They permitted it, however, to captivate their heart, enrapture them, and consequently they turned away from the living God. But, you say that could not happen to you? Well, just look around you, in your church, at God’s professed believers, and remember, “take heed, therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”(1Cor 10:12).

A Cure

The Apostle Paul is prescribing a remedy here, and that is to encourage, and strengthen one another. It will not only help the one you are addressing, but yourself, also. When we remind one another of the marvelous wonder of who God is to us, of the heavenly calling we share, of eternity, the joys, His peace, mercy and grace, that glitter of sin is abhorring, and dull? vain. Although “sin may appear common and insignificant, it extinguishes the inward impression of the Spirit, and impairs your moral sense.”(FE 195). The lie and the liar are exposed. Even so, God gives you opportunity to do this in many ways.

Church-Goers

Take those opportunities and use them to the utmost. Nobody denies it, it is one thing to feel and sympathize with our brothers and sisters, but don?t leave them looking compromisingly at sin. “But, as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1) “Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”(Heb 2:1) These are the qualities of a sound and faithful church! Also, make certain they know what it is they are forgetting of the Word of God! Encourage them to have a believing heart. Take an interest, be concerned, listen, pray with them.

In Fashion

You see, God speaks with us through the Word, that is forever settled, and came to believe what they heard versus what their eyes veritably saw ? the fierce warriors ” they chose to trust their eyes ” by sight, not faith, and doubting God, which is, “becoming fashionable.”(GC 526). “Satan would have men go shrinking, trembling, and painfully along in doubt.”(MYP 63). “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the Word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”(Heb 4:2).

The Word

The word, (Greek-Logos) means a “thought or concept;” and “the expression or utterance of thought.” Even so, we find the eternal Word incarnate in the Son of God; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1,14). As a designation of Christ, therefore, Word (Logos) is peculiarly felicitous because (1) in Him are embodied all the treasures of the divine wisdom, the collective thought of God (1Cor 1:24; Eph 3:10-11); and (2) He is, from eternity, but especially in His incarnation, the utterance or expression of the Person and thought of Deity (John 1:3-5,9,14-18). So, in the Being, Person, and work of Christ, Deity is expressed in the Word (Logos).

Mutiny!

The Israelites, however, heard the Word, but again, did not mix it with faith! Or, they refused to believe and act on it! You see, one can hear the Word, the eternal Word of the Almighty God, over and over again, but it will not help them, because it needs to be mixed with faith. But, to be helped, one needs to be obedient, first. Oh, how often this happens in the lives of so many Christians. Furthermore, instead of listening, believing and acting on it they give lame excuses why it doesn’t apply in their situation, or is not their time yet, but for a “later season.” They develop and reason a justification why they do not have to believe and act on that belief. In fact God told the Children of Israel He would go before them and drive out the infidel inhabitants of Canaan. But, again, instead of looking at the promises of God they looked at their carnal state, circumstances, and surrounding conditions before them. They placed their faith, as so many do today, in their own ability and power, not God’s. Admittedly, they mutinously refused to mix the Word with faith!

Heart Disease

They saw miracle after miracle to help them believe God was faithful in His Word and promises, but still, they kept hardening their hearts and refusing to believe. Miracles happen, too, in our lives, yet we fall short of the rest of God, as the Israelites did. “Let us, therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” (Heb. 4:11). You see, interestingly, the Word discovers our condition!

Fiery Mixture

The Greek word for “labour” (kopos)(KJV); or “make every effort” means to exert one’s self; to endeavour. We need to live in the same rest of God that was made possible on Calvary. If we stay in that place of trusting Christ and all He did to make us right with God, we walk in faith that He goes before us driving out the enemies that are too great for us to conquer. We passionately obey His Word ” believing the unseen, not the seen before us. We mix the Word with faith! But, this sounds like a contradiction; to labour to enter rest and make every effort to do so. Ah! But it is a battle to mix faith with the Word.

The Children of Israel took the effortless way, lack of faith and turned back to the barren wilderness and its wailing wildness. Now if they had made the effort to mix the Word they heard with faith and obeyed – they would have gone into the Promised Land. Instead they miserably perished in the dreadful desert. Let us heed the warning that we do not suffer a similar cruel and bitter fate by following their example of disobedience. (Heb 4:2)

Gymnastics

“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Heb 4:12, 13). God, in fact is telling the Hebrew church they better start mixing the Word with faith or it will be their judge!

Now, the Word comes to us, and if we mix it with faith, it will show that we are living in what Christ did for us. It shows we are His and not merely living a daily lie. But, if we trust in ourselves to get us through it, it exposes our self-reliance; “uncovered” – is from the Greek word “gymnos” – stark naked – that is the same as gymnasts of the Greeks competed in the nude. (No women were permitted to be present).

Divine Standard

That word “laid bare” or “opened” -trachelizo (trakhy-ay-lid-zo) is the word we get trachea (windpipe) from. It was used when a combatant held back the head of his opponent exposing his neck for the sword (tracheotomy). What is the sword? This word picture shows us that the Word of God has us totally exposed and vulnerable. But, the Word of God, too, helps us, ?to avoid deception, and shows us our relation to God,” (UL 316:4) and is “required in meeting the divine standard.” (TMK 77:1).

High Priest

And if this exposure or nakedness of the Word finds us falling short of the finish, then what must we do? “Seeing then that we have an great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have an High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:14-16).

Finish!

Jesus experienced the same temptations you are tempted with, and as He was God and man, knows how tempting it is to rely on self, yet never did! He is before God, His Father, now, at the throne of grace in the Holy Sanctuary, pleading with His pierced hands for you and I. He conquered every evil power imaginable yet never succumbed to it. So, “hold firmly” the faith you vigorously profess. Mix the Word with faith in Him! Run to Him there in the Holy of Holies–confidently entering through the rent curtain, knowing confidently that He can give you that grace that will help you in your time of need, and fiery trials.

Remember, that as long as you are earnestly seeking that help, you are in fact mixing faith with the Word! You are holding on steadfastly. You want to finish! It is when you stop running to Him that you will be found to have fallen short of the finish.

Bible Heroes

Although we were thoroughly given the dire example of unbelieving, rebellious Israel, there are many good examples of those who mixed the Word with faith and even though they cruelly suffered for it, they stood firm to the finish. We have the blessed examples of Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Noah, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and other patriarchs, who exhibited faith at the dawn of history. In the New Testament we have the examples of the Apostles, Paul, John, Mark, Matthew, and Luke, and our supreme, ultimate example – Jesus Christ. Here are the examples of obedience we can safely follow in our journey of life.

Promised Salvation

Finally, for a better estimate of your salvation, “God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb 4:10-12).

Energizing Power

Many strong warnings! Great comfort! Sustaining hope! So, continue to mix the Word with faith today – so that you can walk in obedience. Take every opportunity to encourage and strengthen one another with the fact of who He is, and what purpose He is calling you to. Go to Him for the mercy and grace to help you in that time of imminent need for that Power Finish! ” and not ” come short of it.? AMEN.

John Theodorou, USA