I am not mechanically inclined in the least. I cannot build or repair things. Even when I have the instructions and read them carefully, often I don’t understand what they are telling me. That is because I don’t have the background needed to comprehend them. For instance, it wasn’t until recently that I grasped the basic fact of righty-tighty, lefty-loosy in relation to screws.
Hebrews 4:2 informs us that a similar truth applies to the good news. This verse says, “For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.” Millions of people have heard the gospel message of salvation and redemption, but they have not understood it to the point of believing. They know the basic truths regarding the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but it has not affected their lives.
It is simple, the missing ingredient is faith. We must apply faith to our understanding of God’s Word. Faith must also be applied to our response to His good news. God is freely offering us salvation and redemption. We must receive this wonderful gift of His mercy and grace through faith. In order to benefit from His gift, we must receive it by faith.
Reluctant Retiree 