strive to enter

Lessons from Numbers 14

In Numbers 14, the people of Israel refuse to go into Canaan, rebelling against the LORD, distrusting his care for them.  

 

Hebrews 3:15b-16

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses?

 

God responded by pronouncing judgment on them, that they should wander 40 years and die in the wilderness rather than enter the promised land:

 

Numbers 14:32-34

But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness. According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a year for each day, you shall bear your iniquity forty years, and you shall know my displeasure.

 

Hebrews 3:17-18

And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient?

 

The people rebelled against God, disobeying him, because they did not believe him:

 

Numbers 14:11

And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?"

 

Hebrews 3:19

So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

 

We are to take warning from this, being wary lest we too gain an unbelieving heart that leads us away from God:

 

Hebrews 3:12

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

 

In order to avoid falling away into unbelief, we are to exhort one another daily against sin and toward faith and holiness:

 

Hebrews 3:13

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

 

And we are to learn from Israel's example, and strive to "enter God's rest," and strive that our brethren reach that rest also, and not fall away:

 

Hebrews 4:11

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

 

The next verse tells us that the Word of God is to be used as a sword to pierce the heart -- our own heart and those of our brethren -- that we might not be hardened by sin and fall away:

 

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

 

We are to "hold fast our confession," coming to God for help and mercy and grace through Jesus our high priest:

 

Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

This is meant to be a warning to us, that without vigilance and striving and holding fast, our hearts are prone to be deceived by sin and to turn away from God, in unbelief that leads to disobedience.  And this is such a great danger that we are not strong enough to keep ourselves safe from it, by ourselves; we require the exhortation of others and the Word of God, on a regular basis, to expose what is in our hearts.  And we have been given Jesus the High Priest, by whom we can come to God for help on this difficult path to Heaven.

 

Therefore, you MUST be in regular fellowship in a church, the Body of Christ -- not just attending services, but in community and relationship with other individuals in that local church.  Be taking in the Word of God consistently through preaching, private devotions, and the exhortation of others, because without it, you will not see where your own heart is deceived.  And you must cling to Christ.

 

 

what it means to "glorify God"

Psalms 119:54

Your statutes have been my songs

in the house of my sojourning.

 

We sojourn here on this earth through our earthly life.

Why does God design for us to live here, and go through sin and sorrows before reaching Heaven?  The angels (those who did not rebel) simply live before him forever and serve him perfectly already. 

 

But we live our short (yet often seeming long) lives here, stumbling through the paths of grace, wandering as sheep and being brought back, fighting for faith until we die.

 

Why does this glorify God?

How does this glorify God?

 

I remember not really knowing what "glorify God" means, and concluding that it meant, "obey God; i.e., be good."  Yet we fail at obeying every single day.  Why would it then glorify God for us to live a life here of constant failure? If what glorifies God is that I stop sinning, then why not beam me up to heaven already, where I won't sin any more?

 

But I have come to believe that "glorify God" really means, "see and worship and proclaim God as glorious; and live in ways that show that glory to others."  It's not about how successfully I stop sinning; it's about focusing on God, reveling in his grace, valuing him more than life, proclaiming his glorious character to those around us -- and the person who does that, will obey, not because the act of obedience itself glorifies God, but because the faith that drives true obedience glorifies him and makes that obedience an act of worship.  The faith that wants God more than myself and more than my pleasures and more than my possessions, displays God as the Being of highest value; and the actions that result from that faith are an obedience that glorifies God.

 

So then, how is God shown to be glorious, by having us live this life on earth?

 

• Our sins give us a constant reminder that Christ alone saves.  They give us constant opportunities to reaffirm our faith in him as our salvation.  It is not that our sins glorify God, but rather, that they give an ongoing platform on which the glory of God's grace and kindness can be rehearsed and proclaimed.

 

        Romans 5:20b-21

        …where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

• Our weaknesses force us to depend on the strength that comes from God, thus giving constant opportunity for the glory of his strength to be remembered and testified about.

 

        2 Corinthians 12:9

        But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

• Our trials give opportunity for the God of all comfort to  comfort us, so that we can point others to the glory of his comfort, when they are in trials.

 

        2 Corinthians 1:3-4

        Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

 

• When we despair of life itself, because we are so utterly burdened, it causes us to rely on God, whose glorious power raises the dead; and he receives praise for this.  Such experiences also increase our own hope and trust in him the next time it happens.

 

        2 Corinthians 1:8-10

        For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

 

• When life is hard, and when following God means losing things of this life, we long all the more for "the heavenly country"; we learn to value it more than all the comforts we chased here; and by doing this, we set our hopes in God, and he is pleased with our faith.

 

        Hebrews 11:8-10

        By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

 

        Hebrews 11:16

        But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

 

• Temptations give us regular opportunities to exercise the faith that leads to true obedience, thus giving us opportunities to show that Christ and his rewards are a greater treasure than what sin can give us.

 

        Hebrews 11:8

        By faith Abraham obeyed …

 

        Romans 1:5

        through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations…

 

        Hebrews 11:24-26

        By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

 

And all these things are opportunities to showcase the glories of God to a watching world… opportunities that all end at death.  Heaven will bring no more sin, weakness, trials, sorrows, deprivations, or temptations.

 

Let us then say with Paul:

 

Philippians 1:21, 23, 22

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. … My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. … (yet) If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.

 

Paul's "fruitful labor" meant that he would have more opportunities for others to glory in Christ Jesus:

 

Philippians 1:25-26

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

 

In other words: To live is to love and know and glory in Christ, and to give others cause to glory in him.

Living this way would be a life worth living; may we do it more and more!

Things Above

Seek the things that are above.

Colossians 3:1-4

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

What are "things that are above"?

 

From these verses, they are:

• things that are "where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God" (v.1).
• "not things that are on earth" (v.2).

 

To set your affections on things on earth, would be to set them on temporal things: financial security, money, prestige, possessions, winning the game, having good health, etc.

 

The counterpart to this would be, setting your affections on spiritual and eternal things (things that do not burn up at the end of the world; things that you do not lose at death):

 

• The Kingdom of God (rather than a focus on meeting your own earthly needs):

 

          Matthew 6:31-33

          Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 

• The righteousness of God (Matt.6:33 again).

• Treasures in Heaven (rather than seeking treasures on earth):

        Matthew 19:21

        Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

 

• Things that will have their reward in Heaven (rather than things that bring temporal pleasure here);

        Matthew 16:27

        For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

• God's will and priorities (rather than my own security or goals):

        Matthew 16:21-23

        From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

• The eternal state of your soul (rather than gaining this world):

        Matthew 16:24-26

        Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"

• To gain your soul, you must gain Christ himself, at whatever cost (Matt.19:21):

        Matthew 13:45-46

        Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

 

        Philippians 3:8-9

        Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him…

• The resurrection, the final rest (a striving to make sure to get safely to Heaven):

        Philippians 3:8b-11

        For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him… that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

 

        Hebrews 4:11

        Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

 

        Luke 13:24

        Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

 

        1 Timothy 6:12

        Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 

        1 Corinthians 9:24-27

        Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

• The things of the Spirit (as opposed to the things of the flesh):

        Romans 8:5-9a

        For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit…

 

        (same words, "set the mind" as in Col.3:2 and Phil.3:19).  Rom.8 here tells us that those who set their affections on the flesh (the old man) are hostile to God and cannot please him.  But believers now live "according to the Spirit" and therefore set their affections on "the things of the Spirit."  We submit to God's law; we please him by faith in Christ and obedience to him.

 

        Galatians 5 tells us that the desires of the flesh are opposed to the desires of the Spirit:

 

        Galatians 5:17

        For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

 

        The works of the flesh are all kinds of sin, resulting from self-love rather than love for God and love for others:

 

        Galatians 5:19-21

        Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

        This would tell us that setting your mind on the Spirit (as opposed to on things of the flesh) involves a striving to live in love for God, and in Christ-like love for others, rather than in self-love. 

 

        Therefore: set your mind (affections, energies, interests) on ways to love God and to imitate the love of Christ toward others.

 

        Those who live with the mind "set on the Spirit" will have the fruit of the Spirit being produced in their lives:

 

        Galatians 5:22-23

        But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

 

        In order to fight the flesh (the old man), we must recognize it to be crucified with Christ; and we must then put to death everything related to the flesh's way of thinking:

 

        Galatians 5:24-25

        And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

 

        Colossians 3:5, 8-10

        Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. … now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

 

        And because we live by the Spirit now, and not by the flesh, we are to walk in the ways of the Spirit, putting on the qualities that are like Christ:

 

        Colossians 3:11b-14

        …Christ is all, and in all.  Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

 

You could summarize all these by saying, "To set your mind on things above means, to have your energies and affections and desires set toward bringing God glory in the world, by obeying him, trusting him to provide for you, and following Christ at all cost."

 

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.