God means what he says

from the God means what he says reading plan


Hebrews 10:19-29

BY Diana Stone

Text: Hebrews 10:19-29

Sometimes in my life I forget how great and sovereign God is, how real the words in the Bible are. In this age of instant gratification and feel-good messages, it’s easy to think of God as a warm and fuzzy persona. It’s easy to talk only of the unconditional love He has for us and forget the importance of the proclamations He’s made.

In Hebrews, we are assured that God means what He says, in two ways.

The first is this: Once we are His, we are His forever. We are instructed to “…hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23 NIV). We can come before him and know that, because of Jesus, we are white as snow.

But the flip side is this: For those who hear the Word and turn away from it, who refuse to accept Jesus’ offer of salvation, “…no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” (Heb. 10:26-27 NIV). That’s pretty heavy stuff.

These verses make us squirm. Surely not, we console ourselves. Certainly the punishment is not that fierce. Sure, some may not believe, but they are probably nice people, right?

Sisters, nice isn’t the condition for salvation. It’s fully, totally, unconditionally accepting that we are broken and sinful by nature and the only way that we can come before God is through Jesus. Jesus makes this very simple: there are no hoops to jump through, no lists, no good works to get to a certain level of holy. Nothing. There is nothing on earth we can do to ensure eternal salvation short of having Jesus as our Savior.

This verse is uncomfortable. It’s not pretty. But it’s the truth. God means what He says. When you’re His, you’re His forever. Period. And if you hear and reject what He’s offered, there is no other option.

As we start this New Year, let’s look into our hearts and make sure we are fully comprehending our salvation, that we have truly given our lives to our Father and not simply been working on getting to heaven because we are nice people.

Good works should come from our thankfulness for salvation and love for Jesus, not as a way to get around what He did for us. Live and walk in fruit, sisters!

Post Comments (39)

39 thoughts on "God means what he says"

  1. Jill says:

    "As we start this New Year, let’s look into our hearts and make sure we are fully comprehending our salvation, that we have truly given our lives to our Father and not simply been working on getting to heaven because we are nice people. Good works should come from our thankfulness for salvation and love for Jesus, not as a way to get around what He did for us."
    Being a Christian for a long time, I'll admit is does become second nature to forget or take for granted His sacrifice. It's kind of like hearing "oh, pray for so and so, they are having a quadruple bypass today." We hear it so often now days, we forget the seriousness of the procedure. I mean…their heart is being worked on for cryin out loud! It's insane! I don't ever want to forget or take for granted Christ's sacrifice. I love how the Message version states it.
    "If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God's Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole and insult this most gracious Spirit?" Oh Christ have mercy. I don't ever want my heart to forget.

  2. Megan says:

    Yes Diana. There are way too many feel good, say nothing messages out there. God is love and his love is fierce, powerful, and truthful. We must take the Lord as he is or not at all.

  3. Sweetdes says:

    When you're His forever, you're His forever. Period! Thank God, He never walks away! He never leaves my side!

  4. cmcneill777 says:

    I stumbled upon this website by starting the study over James (my favorite book) yesterday. I thought I would give it a shot and see where it took me. This morning I woke up to this devotion in my email and it really encouraged me for my upcoming day. I work in sports ministry and today we have our first basketball games. The entire process of getting to the first games has been incredibly stressful and today's devotion reminded me that I am His. It also reminded me that our purpose is to lead others to a relationship with Him so that they do not have to face a "fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire."

    Thank you for this encouragement as I go into my day, now prepared to show others how wonderful it is to be a daughter of God.

  5. Janee White says:

    Hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty concious – bodies washed with pure water – hold unswervingly to the hope – since we have the confidence?

    Its all there – but do we live it out. Do we live free from a guilty concious? Do we see ourselves pure? Are we holding on to hope, since we have the confidence?

    I'm convicted as all get out by this. I didnt think I had a guilty concious until I read this. But I have recently realized that so much of what I know is in my head – and has not dropped the 13 inches to my heart. No amount of knowledge will sustain me if it doesn't begin transform me. I need to confident in the Work He has done in my heart vs just knowing that He did a work in my heart. Does that make sense?

    1. Kyla F says:

      "do we live it out." <- such simple words Janee but such an important question to ask ourselves!

      Your words make sense to me, as I have been working through similar thoughts and realizations. I am going to start being intentional about asking God to soften my heart and absorb the new life He is giving me.

      1. Janee White says:

        Oh Kyla….He would love that prayer :) He longs for our hearts to be like His. And I pray with you and for you, that the New Life that He has given you be lived with the fullness He intended. And that the the revelation of Scripture, the finished Work of the Cross, and the transforming Work He has done in your life – be more than just knowledge, but be fully camptured in the chambers of your heart. So that the blood that pumps out, be full of Living Water that will satisfy your hunger and thirst. .

    2. AnnaLee says:

      "I need to be confident in the Work He has done in my heart vs. just knowing that He did a work in my heart."
      Yes, it totally does make sense, Janee. Even this morning, I find myself living guilt, fear, and condemnation about whether I'm "actually doing the Lord's will" or not. But our Lord has made me pure, white as snow, and ONLY Christ can make me blameless before God. Father, help me (all of us, for that matter) to keep listening to your voice, following wherever you lead, and to keep serving you WITHOUT fear and in RIGHTEOUSNESS that comes by relying on you alone all our days! (Luke 1: 74-75).

      1. Janee White says:

        I have found myself asking the same question many many times. Am I 'actually doing the Lord's will'? And I know that many times, the answer was no. But forturnately, we have graceful God. He promises to be the voice behind us telling us to go to the left or the right. He promises to be our cloud by day, and pillar by night. So if you are not sure, ask Him. He will direct you back – on an amazing path full of Grace – with an out-stretched hand that not only leads you, but comforts you as well. I pray today, that you hear nothing but that voice – see nothing bu that path, and feel nothing but Love when you place your hand in the Hand of His perfect will.

        1. AnnaLee says:

          Janee, your prayer was completely received and acted upon yesterday. Thank you so much for your prayers. They really blessed my life in a big way.

    3. Valanne says:

      Janee I'm praying for your heart to be fully opened to God's goodness and sanctification in your life. May you turn that brain off and fully embrace with your heart — his washing of every past, present and future sins. He did it for Rehab, the women at the well, Saul and this women named Janee! You talk so many time of the way he is transforming you. Rest in him today dear sister.

      1. Janee White says:

        Oh girl…..to see my name among that list….wow! Thank you so much for your encouragement my friend. I will rest in Him – rest in the knowledge of Him – and rest in the healing and transforming power of His Love. Today, I pray, we both ponder His Words and Works in the chambers of our hearts – and that the lives we live are the visibie transformed lives (full lives) He sacrificed so much to give us.

        Thank you so much for your words of encouragement Valanne – it was such a sweet gift to wake up this morning. God bless you today…..

  6. Emily says:

    As a very Type A person, this is the good news I needed to be reminded of today:
    "Jesus makes this very simple: there are no hoops to jump through, no lists, no good works to get to a certain level of holy. "
    Praise God for that!

  7. Joanne Sher says:

    Such a powerful reminder – not only for our own salvation, but for that of those around us. When I get shy, or uneasy about sharing the Gospel, I need to remember how horrible hell is. Is my uneasiness worth sending those around me to that unphathomably terrible place?

  8. amykelly213 says:

    Amen, Diana! Amen!!!

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