βFor unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard itβΒ (Hebrews 4:2).
Can we possess Godβs Word and itΒ notΒ benefit us?
From the time He created man and placed him on Earth, the God of the Bible has extended a message for manβs faith and obedience. While aΒ writtenΒ Bible was not always available to man, there was GodβsΒ spokenΒ Word. That message changed through time because man changed. These individual Divine revelations are βdispensations,β each applicable only for a limited time.
In todayβs Scripture (actually beginning back in chapter 3), the writer of the Book of Hebrews recalls Israelβs history. JEHOVAH God had promised them the land of Canaan, but they refused to enter (Numbers chapters 13β14). Hebrews reveals their problem:Β βSo we see that they could not enter in because ofΒ unbeliefβΒ (Hebrews 3:19). They didΒ notΒ believe Godβs Word to them.Β No faith!
A person can own a Bible, carry it around, flip through it, read it daily, memorize it, tell others about it, hear it preached at church, and still be out of Godβs will and still lack His power. No matter the dispensation,Β personal faith is always most important before God:Β βButΒ without faith it is impossible to please [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek himβΒ (Hebrews 11:6).Β βSo thenΒ faithΒ cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of GodβΒ (Romans 10:17).
βFor this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,Β which effectually worketh also in you that believeβΒ (1 Thessalonians 2:13).Β FaithΒ is the key to activating Godβs Word in our lives. Once weΒ believeΒ the verses we read or hear, God the Holy Spirit works in us and then outwardly:Β ββ¦To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner manβΒ (Ephesians 3:16). He makes the verses a reality in our lives, that we reflect the grace doctrine weΒ believe, and thus He benefits us! source
