Overcoming Contention in Your Soul

 Infusions of Faith

"For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us—has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses. But it didn’t do them any good because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t mix it with faith. 3 For only we who believe God can enter into his place of rest." Heb 4:2-3a (TLB)

"We have heard the Good News even as they did, but it did them no good because it was not mixed with faith. 3 We who have put our trust in God go into His rest." Heb 4:2-3a (NLV)

I have always been intrigued with the written text of the Bible and how the stories were told. For example, I like to research how a verse was phrased, discover the hidden meaning in a name, how a word's definition has changed or endured over time, and to work at understanding the idioms and/or connotations of a specific historical time. It may seem nerdy, but haven't you ever wondered why in John 13:23, the disciple John refers to himself as, “the disciple Jesus loved?” Jesus loved all the disciples and everyone else for that matter, so why does John single himself out here? Was he being petty and prideful? Have you read the lineage of Christ in Matthew 1 and wondered why did the first sixteen verses of the chapter consist of names we cannot pronounce? It's not exactly an easy read starting the new testament.

 I'm going somewhere with this...every word, phrase, verse, chapter and book isn't just telling a summary of events, they're telling a detailed story, full of meaning. So, when reading one or a few verses, you can actually get a full story of the who, what, why, when, where, & how of a passage. And don't get me started on comparing biblical translations, the Hebrew/Greek word definitions, lexical aids and commentary notes. A single verse can yield a lot of meaning and understanding if you invest the time and have the materials. I don't engage in such a study to tickle my fancies, but to seek revelation from God.

 Looking at the verses above: Heb. 4:2-3a

• Who: is referenced by how the text was written -- "...has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses." It speaks of the historical context of Jews being a chosen people through whom God showed his creation who He is. The "who" has expanded to us today; so, in essence the “who” is God and the special relationship He has with created beings submitted to his Kingdom and Lordship.
• What: His plan of salvation, care and provision shown by His intentional thought -- "For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us..."
• Why: To celebrate and share His gift of rest -- "For only we who believe God can enter into his place of rest."
• When/Where/How: Where were you in life when you first heard the message of salvation preached - geographically & symbolically - at a bible study, talking with a friend, in a hospital, in jail? When – in a drunken stupor, in a dream, alone? When and where is always individual, but whenever and however you heard the gospel preached, you received it - with mental ascent as a necessary thing and/or with spiritual desperation and depravity. God reached your heart, but how did you receive His message? "But it didn’t do them any good because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t mix it with faith." I don’t know about you, but often we receive Jesus because we realize we need help, His help to get out of some trouble. However, the control or flow of that help getting to our heart, as well as our submission to Him and his help, is an ongoing-faith process displaying our true belief.

This is all pretty basic reasoning so far, but the phrase "mixed with faith" jumps out at me because I have questions about my 'mixin'. Can you relate? What does God require and how can I be at rest in my faith, without doubt? I know there is contention in my belief because my life is not evidencing the continual, promised rest mentioned here in Hebrews. In fact, I am conflicted between doubt, submission, suffering from past experiences and faith; and this tugs away at my soul. So, I search for revelation to settle this contention. Where the soul questions, the spirit answers.

Here's how I find myself in the Heb 4:2-3a context: Christians then were suffering and considering turning back to religion or self-willed behavior to try and escape the hardships they were facing. The Jewish believers knew about Christ, but did they know The Christ amid their suffering? Was their faith based on their past experiences, self-righteousness, expectations of safety, and their own power to believe?

While I'm not considering deserting my faith, I do know what it feels like to compromise to escape pain. Since this world is full of pain and suffering, I must be alert to confess any self-deception and weakness to God in prayer. The bible mentions even the elect might almost slip away in times of great trials. Keeping this in mind, I recognize that knowledge is good to have, and a determined mind is necessary, but I/we cannot rely on human effort alone to overcome our trials, doubts, persecutions, fear and suffering from this earthly life. It was the same in Moses’ time as it is now: present difficulties try to eclipse and overshadow the realities of God's promises to us. Do/Will we believe God in the nitty-gritty, messy middle?

It takes an otherworldly faith to hope against hope, to transcend struggles, and to overcome human failings and demonic wickedness. Overcoming is possible only through a humble, “even if” kind of faith that’s available through the power of God's love and strength. To trust God with the only life you have daily is to mix/submit your knowledge of everything under the belief in God’s character & word. Faith is a personal conviction and assurance of the truth and love of God, our Creator. When I struggle, the word is there to bring me into a deeper revelation of God and faith. Learning the bible and spending time with God is helping me to trust and have faith as I lay my contentions down. I need to rest.

Key Themes:

--Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith.  His Word, the Bible, answers everything that conflicts with faith.

--Life is hard, so handle with prayer. In prayer and submission, God can settle any contention. 

Resources:

1. Know what you're up against and contend for the faith.

2. Trusting God in a Storm. Dr. Anthony Evans https://youtu.be/m_9LYyXR4l8

3. Understanding the meaning of contention.

con·ten·tion

/kənˈten(t)SH(ə)n/

Learn to pronounce

noun

1. 1.

   heated disagreement. 2. 

   an assertion, especially one maintained in argument. 3. something (such as a belief, opinion, or idea) that is argued or stated. : anger and disagreement. : a situation in which you have a chance to win something that you are trying to win.  
2. For example, "Why, Lord, Why? When, Lord, when? How could you let this happen to me?" He sees and knows our contentions and helps us overcome in faith. Selah!