What keeps people from entering God's rest according to Hebrews 3:18?
Hebrews 3:18 states that God swore they would not enter His rest because of unbelief, not immorality. The verse asks if it was the immoral, then answers, 'but to them who believed not.' Unbelief is the barrier that keeps people from entering God's rest. The contrast is between unbelief and believing.
Les explains that Hebrews 3:18 asks whom God swore would not enter His rest—was it the immoral? The answer corrects that: 'No, but to them who believed not.' Les says this is the problem and the hang-ups people have today. Many think, 'If I can clean up my act, if I can just change my ways, then I'll become a Christian.' But that is not the way; you do it when you are yet ungodly. Les also points to Abraham, who staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Abraham was fully persuaded that God would perform what He promised, and his believing was imputed to him for righteousness.
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
More Questions
Who were the people God swore would not enter His rest in Hebrews 3:18?
According to Hebrews 3:18, the ones God swore would not enter His rest were not the immoral but those who did not believe.
Why were the Israelites who came out of Egypt forbidden to enter God's rest in Hebrews 3?
The Israelites who were forbidden to enter God's rest were not the golden-calf worshipers but the generation that turned back in unbelief at Kadesh Barnea and said, "We can't take it."
Why could the Israelites not enter into God's rest?
They could not enter into God's rest because of unbelief.