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Lest any of you seem to have come short of it...

Text: Hebrews 4:1

DEEPLY AFFECTED

The author of Hebrews was deeply affected by what he had read from the Old Testament Scriptures. And well he should be! His study of the history of Israel led him to make the following observations:-

1. Though they had seen the mighty miracles of God many did not possess genuine faith.

2. Though they had a great leader in Moses who taught them many deep and important spiritual truths, there were no obvious fruits.

3. The children of Israel continued to manifest ugly (perpetual) sins:-

a) The hardening of the heart (Cf. Hebrews 3:8a)

b) The rebellion against God (Cf. Hebrews 3:8b)

c) The testing of God (Cf. Hebrews 3:9a)

d) The constant straying away from God (Cf. Hebrews 3:10b)

e) The ignorance of the ways of God (Cf. Hebrews 3:10c)

LEST ANY OF YOU SEEM TO HAVE COME SHORT OF IT

The author must have seen many people taking the matter of salvation too much for granted:-

1. Some may have been presumptuous about their profession of faith.

2. Others may have shown no fruit of repentance.

3. Still others give reason to have their salvation cast in great doubt.

4. Expressions of people who come short of entering into God’s rest:-

a) Those who “drift away” ought to re-examine their faith in Christ (Cf. Hebrews 2:1).

b) Those who neglect to respond appropriately to the message of salvation also ought to re-think the state of their soul (Cf. Hebrews 2:3).

c) Those who exhibit the sins of ancient Israel certainly must check their salvation, especially when there are obvious indications of a hardened heart of unbelief (Cf. Hebrews 3:7-13)