Make haste to obey the gospel so you can freely love

Hebrews 4:11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. Today I want to encourage you by focusing on the word diligent. It is a word that includes the ideas of haste or earnestness. The author called his readers to make haste with all earnestness to enter into the finished work of Christ on their behalf. We might visualize a man standing outside a hurricane proof structure with a powerful category 5 hurricane-force storm bearing down on him. As long as he stands outside, he’s in danger. If the door were locked and he had no entry, he should be frantic and scared. On the other hand, if the door to the building were unlocked, then there’s a safe place of refuge available. He needs to make haste to enter. It would be foolish to remain outside. So it is with Jesus. God has provided a Sabbath rest for all who believe—believe they are in danger of God’s wrath and believe Jesus is God’s provision of salvation. In believing, they enter the safe haven provided by God to escape the storm of God’s wrath against their sin. The author encouraged his readers to make haste with great effort to enter God’s rest in Christ. There’s another encouragement in this verse. It’s an encouragement to obey the gospel. Because God loves the world, He actually has commanded all to believe in Jesus and get out of the storm. Listen to these Scriptures from John, Peter, and Paul. John 3:35-36. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. 1 Peter 4:17. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 2 Thess. 1:8. (Speaking of Jesus when he returns) dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Make haste to obey the gospel so you can freely love. The Israelites were disobedient. God told them to enter the Promised Land, and they disobeyed because of unbelief. They didn’t trust God to give them the help they needed to obey. We are encouraged today not to fall like they did and be disobedient. Have you entered into God’s Sabbath rest by trusting in Jesus? If so, let us believe in God’s faithfulness to give us the grace and power to love like Jesus, as He has commanded us. If He has given us faith to obey the gospel and trust in Jesus for our salvation, then we may expect Him to give us faith to walk in love with Jesus.