Patients of the Good Doctor

Read Hebrews 3:1–4:13

9. There is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.
10. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.
11. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
12. For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
13. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:9-13

Anyone who has ever had surgery knows how scary it can be. The fact that surgeons cut and stitch every day does not help, either. We still feel anxious and frightened about having our bodies opened up, even in the simplest procedures. If not for anesthesia, the operation would be indescribably painful, but even with the help of unconsciousness we know that we will be vulnerable and helpless during the procedure. And afterward, some kind of painful recovery will follow. No one can blame anyone for feeling nervous about all that.

As scary as surgery is, there is a nonphysical operation that scares some people even more. The writer of Hebrews clues us in as to who the doctor is, as well as what instrument he will be using to perform this surgery. No anesthesia is needed here, only a humble and willing heart. Are you open to spiritual surgery by the divine Surgeon?

God uses his Word to work on our lives as a surgeon uses a scalpel (Hebrews 4:12). It cuts through our pretender’s skin. It goes after the cancerous sinful growths that infect our character. It attacks our spiritually diseased condition.

For this very reason, many people fear the Bible. They fear the discomfort and pain in confronting and dealing with their spiritual problems. They fear the changes that will take place in their character and life. But changes for good should not be feared, for God removes from our character only what harms us—our sinful attitudes and behaviors.

Do not be afraid to read the Bible. Let God do corrective surgery on your thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Although it may be painful now, the end results will be well worth the discomfort you may experience.