“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2, KJV).
It is possible to come short of operating in the peace and rest that God has provided for believers (Heb. 4:1). Even though you are saved, even though you are filled with the Holy Ghost, even though you go to church, if you don’t mix your faith with the Word of God, you will not operate in God’s rest.
Now, you know what that tells us? Whether or not we enter into the rest of God is not dependent upon God. Whether or not we enter into the rest of God depends on us. Entering into the rest of God’s got something to do with our faith.
God has already provided the place of rest for you. He’s already provided a place whereby you are sealed off from the enemy’s attempts to harm you. Now, the enemy may come against you, but the pressure doesn’t have to get you. And the pressure doesn’t have to destroy you.
You can walk in the place of the rest of God even though all hell is breaking loose around you. But your faith in the Word has got something to do with it.
It’s possible to sit in church every Sunday morning and hear the Word of God, and walk out of there, and have no profit from it. That’s what happened to the children of Israel. The Word of God was preached and they did not profit from it because they didn’t mix their faith with it.
You must believe what you hear. Then you have to act on what you hear. That’s why you go to a church that preaches the Word of God. You shouldn’t go to church because you want to show off your fine clothes. Or you don’t go to church just out of tradition’s sake.
You should go to church because you recognize that is where the Word of God is going to come forth. And the Word of God will cause you to be able to enter into God’s rest.
The Word of God will cause you to be able to walk in victory in this life, because no Word from God is void of power. God’s Word is full of power. So, when you hear it, mix faith with it and the troubles of life will fall off as you walk in victory.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).