Read Deuteronomy 1:19-28.
The Lord gave them clear instructions in (Deut. 1:19-21) instead of obeying they investigated (Deut 1:22-24). Those who explored the land confirmed, it is a good land that the Lord is giving us (Deut. 1:25). "Yet," they rebelled because they believed that the Lord was not good. This belief is the foundational truth of unbelief.
Deut 1:25-26 is a perfect illustration of James 1:26; faith without works is dead. The reformer Martin Luther said, "we are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone." Luther is reinforcing that real faith is proven by our obedience.
This generation that wandered 40 yrs. in the wilderness serves as a testimony that unbelief is possible and probable in the face of overwhelming evidence (miracles). Do not harden your hearts as in the day of trial in the wilderness (Hebrews 3:8).
Let this sad story be a smelling salt to awaken those whose heart is atrophying even as they read this blog. True faith obeys, not perfectly (Proverbs 24:16), but rises each time it falls. Are you rising from your moments of disobedience (unbelief)? If not, its because you don't really believe. Today is the day, believe, and be saved.
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