The Ultimate Insult

The Ultimate Insult

Because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

Hebrews 3:19

Despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him.

John 12:37

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:24

What would you think if you offered to do something for a friend, promising to see it through, and your friend said something like, “No, thanks. I’ve decided I just can’t trust you anymore.” It would be an insult to your integrity, and your relationship with that person would be damaged. And if you’d never failed to live up to what you’d promised, the insult would be even greater.

This gives us a sense of how ugly and offensive our sin is to God. God is infinitely wise and infinitely dependable, and he has paid an infinite price. This price was to give himself to us so he could work in our lives for our good. So what an insult and offense it is when we say to God by our choices and behavior, “I don’t really think you can be counted on to know what’s best for me. I’m not sure you can really make a better future for me than I can create for myself.”

When we refuse to trust in the promises of God and to find our joy in his provision for our future, it’s a tremendous insult to God. Unbelief is not merely refusing to accept the truths of the Bible; it is refusing to trust in the promises of God, refusing to enjoy the provision of God. This unbelief is the root of all our sin. We disobey God because deep down we don’t really believe his commandments are life to us. We disobey because we don’t believe he knows more than we do about what will ultimately make us happy. What an insult.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

How do you feel when someone doesn’t believe what you say?

Think through various sins people might be tempted by—greed, pride, cheating, lying, etc. What promise of God are people not believing when they sin in one of these areas?

What promise of God do you want to focus on believing?