The Peril of Unbelief

Unbelief is a slippery slope. You rarely realize that you've already been seared in your conscience towards someone or something, until it's too late. Unbelief is like a cauterizing, laser beam with scalpel like precision . It sears, seals and stops the flow of life to an area in our heart/sprit/soul, paralyzing us.

Whenever I read about unbelief in the scripture, I am reminded about the children of Israel making their way to The Promised Land. Being led by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night, yet building a golden calf and worshipping it. In the midst of manna falling from Heaven, complaining about no meat. Seeing Moses glow with fleeting Glory, yet full of unbelief.

The author of Hebrews warns us to be vigilant and sober unlike the rebellious, unbelieving, Israelites of yesterday. Why? How? Because we have now partaken in Christ! We have been redeemed! The areas in which we would normally have numbness in are awake and vibrant with life! The places that would be cut off are overtaken with grace that Jesus imparted to us with the gift of salvation, through faith, in Him!

Hebrews 3:14-19 AMP

14 For we [believers] have become partakers of Christ [sharing in all that the Messiah has for us], if only we hold firm our newborn confidence [which originally led us to Him] until the end, 15 while it is said,

“Today [while there is still opportunity] if you hear His voice, Do not harden your heart, as when they provoked Me [in the rebellion in the desert at Meribah].”

16 For who were they who heard and yet provoked Him [with rebellious acts]? Was it not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose dead bodies were scattered in the desert? 18 And to whom did He swear [an oath] that they would not enter His rest, but to those who disobeyed [those who would not listen to His word]? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter [into His rest—the promised land] because of unbelief and an unwillingness to trust in God.

There is a new promise of complete rest. Jesus Himself is our confidence and our promise. He is the Blessed Hope!!