12. After speaking of the numerous examples of faith presented in Hebrews 11, what does Paul exhort us to do?
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Heb. 12:1.
Note.—The “every weight” here spoken of includes those traits of character and habits of life that retard or hinder our running successfully the Christian race. These are to be laid aside. But there is one thing referred to here that is more than a weight; it is a sin, and one that easily besets us all,—the sin of unbelief. To be unbelieving, therefore, is sinful.
13. Why did many fail to enter into God's rest anciently?
“And to whom sware He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Heb. 3:18, 19.
14. How are these unbelieving ones spoken of?
“But with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?” Verse 17.
15. What lesson should we learn from their course?
“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Heb. 4:1.
Note.—God does not change. If He was grieved at the unbelief of the Israelites, and refused them admittance to Canaan in consequence, He cannot permit us to enter the heavenly rest as long as we indulge in unbelief.