Shake In Your Boots

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Heb 12:18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow." 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.")

 

Again, remember that this letter was written to those who have tasted of the saving grace of God, but due to the persecution of the followers of the Way, they were tempted to revert back to Judaism.

 

As Jews, they were circumcised on the 8^th day and believed they could be saved by their adherence to the Law, the commandments of God.

 

Perhaps the modern day equivalent would be the baptized believer, who sheds the grace of God and opts for salvation based on his or hers good behavior. You know the type. When asked why God should let them into heaven, their response is, “Well I’ve been baptized and I’m basically a good person, so God will let me in.”

 

No! For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God lest anyone should boast!

 

Read this portion of Hebrews again and let it chill you to the bone. The mountain represents the presence of a holy God and just touching it resulted in death! The Law of God so demanding that those who heard it begged that it shouldn’t be spoken to them anymore, because when it is spoken it cuts to the heart and terrifies men as they realize they cannot stand in the presence of a holy God!

 

Even that righteous man Moses was exceedingly afraid and trembling.”

 

 

There is not a man alive…ever, except the God-man Jesus who can endure what God has commanded! All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! The letter of the Law kills, but the Spirit of grace (the gospel) brings life! 2Co 3:6b  “for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

 

Let this portion of Hebrews shake you out of your doldrums, Stop trying to behave your way into heaven, rather place the surety of your salvation on the back of Jesus. By His stripes, you are healed.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word