For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them (Hebrews 4:2)
Being exposed to spiritual truth does not necessarily guarantee spiritual outcome. Notice, scripture says, “the ‘gospel’ was preached to ‘us’ and ‘them’, but the outcome, the result was totally different! It is possible for a person to be born into a Christian family, go to church and hear the word being preached and still not believe
but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. (Hebrews 4:2)
The word did not fail because there was something wrong with it. The word is living and powerful. The word did not profit them because it was not mixed with faith. This explains why two people can hear the same message and one benefits while the other does not.
This may sound strange because the very act of hearing is supposed to generate faith, since faith comes by the hearing of the Word of God. (Romans 10:17). The only answer lies in the fact that if the Word is heard inaccurately or with the wrong attitude it would not then generate faith which manifests in outward obedience.
The Pharisees and the Sadducees heard the word being preached by Jesus but it never birthed faith in their spirit man because they heard with an attitude of pride and prejudice.
Mere possession of the word does not guarantee that it will be profitable. The Israelites did not profit because they carried the tables of stone around with them. Likewise, we too can have the Bible lying around the house, but there is no profit simply being around the book or touching the book or even putting it under our pillow while we sleep.
Mixing the Word with faith means acting upon the Word of God, and what you say with your mouth is part of acting on God’s Word.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
1.The Word of God is living
The Greek word here for living is zoa, meaning "to be alive". The spoken word brings life and quickens the body (Romans 8:11). Lord Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)
2.The Word of God is powerful.
The Greek word is energes. The Word renews the inner man (2 Corinthians 4:16).
3.The Word of God is sharp(er.)
'The Greek word for sharper is tomoteros. This alludes to cutting with a single stroke, not with a hacking or sawing action.
4.The Word of God is two-edged.
The Greek word for two-edged is distomos. 'The meaning is "having a double mouth, as a river." It refers to two openings. The sword, it can be said, is a two-mouthed sword.
5.The Word of God divides.
The Greek word is merismos, meaning to cut into a separation. The Word of God can divide the soul from the spirit. This is important because spiritual battles begin in the soul.
When God spoke the Word out of His mouth, He put one blade on it. When we speak what God said, we form the second blade. This is why it is a two-mouthed sword.
Reading and memorizing the Bible is extremely important, but it is only half of our responsibility. We also need to open our mouths and speak His Word.
The sword is both a defensive weapon and an offensive weapon. We can use the sword to defend ourselves from such things as lies from the enemy, deception, mental attacks, and temptations.
As a defensive weapon, the sword resists, restrains, and rebukes. We can also use the sword offensively to attack such things as sickness, demonic possession, and the enemy's attempts to prevent us from fulfilling God's will. Used as an offensive weapon, the sword can reveal, redeem, reconcile, renew, and repair. Never underestimate the power of the sword. The power of the sword comes from the anointing that the Holy Spirit places on it-not by any effort on our part other than to speak the Rhema words He gives us.
The power and the anointing are in the quality, not the quantity, of the words.
Speaking just 10 words, Jesus healed a paralytic (Matthew 9:6).
He spoke six words to raise the dead (Mark 5:41).
Speaking five words, Jesus healed a leper (Matthew 8:3).
Speaking only two words, "Come out!" Jesus cast out a legion of demons (Matthew 8:32).
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Hebrews 4:14)
The word confession is derived from a word in the original Greek of the New Testament that means “to say the same as.”
The basic meaning of confession, therefore, is “saying the same as.” In its scriptural context, confession means that we say the same as God says. We make the words of our mouths agree with God’s Word.
Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. (Hebrews 4:16)
It is mercy we need when we have failed; when we have sinned. As long as we are doing right, we can get by on justice.