Vss 4-5. These 2 verses are in no wise contradictory, but in fact establish a most important principle: Scripture speaks to people on all sides of a question.

There are passages which speak of great assurance to those of weak but believing hearts – (Matt. 12 how the Messiah would not break a bruised reed or put out a smoldering wick), and conversely give great warnings to those who are complacent and careless in their spiritual lives – (Luke 12:47-48 “that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”)

The Bible shows both how our faith is to be exercised, and how God works through it, And at the same time we see that God does not need our faith in order to work.

Believing women have absolutely equal spiritual status with men before God, and yet the roles of men and women in the Church differ.

Countless multitudes throughout the centuries had little or no personal access to the Bible and yet lived godly, Christ honoring lives. But to neglect or ignore the Word does irreparable damage to the soul.

Many Christians throughout the centuries have been debarred from Church gatherings and yet are pleasing to God. And many need to be exhorted to not to willfully forsake the gathering of the saints.

Such examples in Scripture and life are numberless. But the Word is so designed to speak to all in differing circumstances. And which may be what applies most to me at that any given time may be vastly different.

So it is to the one who is confident in their religion or perhaps even their spiritual heritage for right standing before God – we have Matt. 3:9-10 “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

And to those outside the camp, we have Eph. 2:11-13 “Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Eph. 2:14-19 “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

Hallelujah!