In my bible study recently we've been going through Hebrews 3:7-19 and 4:1-4. These verses specifically address the Jews who know the truth of the Gospel, believe it to be true, have gone so far as to renounce Judaism, and yet still do not commit their lives to Christ and His teachings. They continue to say no to Christ and they're hearts become harder and harder. The author repeatedly implores them that "while it is still called 'Today'" they need to accept Christ, enter His rest, and stop hardening their hearts. They're like a little kid who stands on the edge of the pool, where everyone else is swimming, playing, having a great time, and just REFUSES to get in.. and kids can come up with a MILLION reasons not to get in.
I can't say that I've ever really encountered many people like this. Most people I talk to either accept Christ or they reject the Bible and Christ as truth. These are the people Christ warns against in Luke 16:31- "But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'" No amount of proof will EVER be enough proof for these people.
What do you say?
However, the Jews that the author of Hebrews is addressing here are not like that... they believe it's true. And, honestly, until a few nights ago, I had never met anyone like this. I have a friend who used to be involved in Sports Ministry, received a 4 year degree in it, and then last summer he just completely walked away from everything. Since that time he slips farther and farther away from God until I find him now, having given up having sex with any random girl he could find (this came after 2 pregnancy scares in one week for him), given up getting drunk every night (he's traded that in for smoking pot).. he's gone from being a bartender at a gay bar (while not himself being gay) to selling motorcycles all over the country... He's getting tattoos on his arms with Christian/Biblical significance... and yet he wants nothing to do with God.
What do you say?
He believes in God, he believes what the Bible says is true, he believes he's going to Hell unless he truly gives his whole heart to Christ (which he now confesses that he's never done), he admits that it's incredibly difficult to stand on the edge of the pool and think everything else he's doing is more fun... he says that he can't commit himself fully to God, so he doesn't commit at all.
Hebrews 4:1 begins, "Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest..." As long as a person has opportunity to decide, he can still decide. Therefore, we can never give up on people... we can't stop loving them, praying for them, witnessing to them, etc.
Our friends, our families, the person in the grocery store or the drug addict down the street... people are never too far gone for God to reach them...
Psalm 139:7-8 "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or when can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; IF I MAKE MY BED IN SHEOL, BEHOLD, YOU ARE THERE."
What do you say when you know someone like this? What do you say when they already know all the truth there is to know and believe it as well? What do you say when you love them so much and you can see how much this behavior and lifestyle and thinking is hurting them?
Love them.... and pray. Intercede for them and cry out to God that He will change their hearts.. in effect that He will do the same for them as He promised the Israelites in Ezekiel 11:19-20, "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God."
What do you say? Sometimes it's best not to say anything at all.. not to them anyway. ;)
