Have you ever read this verse from Hebrews 4:2, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the Word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”? The context of this passage from Hebrews deals with the children of Israel that were led out of Egypt and their failure to enter into the Promised Land because of their unbelief.  Understanding the truth revealed in this verse will answer many questions about why people fail to receive from God and His will failing to be done in the lives of His people.

One of the most basic truths we can learn about knowing the will of God for our lives is that, God’s will is revealed in His Word.  God’s Word is His will!  Space doesn’t allow for a lengthy discussion of it but, it is through the Word of God that we learn about God’s desire to save, bless and be good to people.  It is a misunderstanding of the true nature of God and a misapplication of His sovereignty that causes so much confusion among people today.

The will of God does not automatically come to pass in your life!  Have you ever heard that saying, “If it’s meant to be, it will be”? That’s horrible theology!  The will of God does not come to pass that way!  That’s what Hebrews 4:2 is teaching us.  Read it again, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the Word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”  The Word was preached to them.  They heard the will of God, but it didn’t come to pass.  Why?  Because they didn’t mix faith with it!  God’s will is revealed in His Word but it is not automatic.  You have to mix faith with it!

That means you must first believe it for yourself.  you must act upon it.  You must expect it to come to pass in your life.  That’s what faith is.  Faith is not passive; faith is active. You must lay hold of the will of God for your life and do it!  You must believe the gospel and apply it in your life by living it, believing it and doing it.  Many people have become frustrated and misguided because of a lack of understanding of this principle for approaching God by faith.

Faith is the method that God has chosen for man to approach Him.  Hebrews 1:1 says, “God, who at various time and in various ways spoke in time past…” I want you to see that although the way God has spoken and dealt with man over the years has changed, one thing never will change, that is the way man approaches God – by faith!

Faith is a major doctrine of the Bible.  Hebrews 10:38a, “Now the just shall live by faith…” 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith and not by sight.”  Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  Since the Bible clearly teaches us that we are to live and walk by faith and that without fait it is impossible to please Him, it seems to me that faith ought to be a subject that we want to major in!

I hope you can see the importance that our faith plays in receiving the promises of God.  Everything that you have received or will receive from Him comes by faith.  For example, consider Ephesians 2:8, “…for by grace you have been saved, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”  Jesus purchased our salvation for us and it is offered to us by grace.  But we must receive it by faith.  There must be a response on our part.  We must receive the free gift by faith.

Although it is the will of God for everyone to be saved and experience His free gift, not everyone is saved today because some choose not to receive His gift by faith.  I want you to know that the Word of God being preached will profit you if you will mix faith with it when you hear it!  You have to believe it and apply it to your own life by acting upon it and expecting to come to pass in your life.  That is faith!

©Mike McComb Ministries  2026