Scripture
Hebrews 3:12-14 – Take care brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our confidence firm to the end.
Observation
The author has just written about the rebellion of the Israelites and how their hearts grew hard. Beginning in verse 12, this is a strong warning to not let an unbelieving heart, which is evil, lead you astray from God. We are to encourage each other daily so as not to allow our hearts to become hard and be fooled by sin. We are to share in Jesus with confident faith till the end.
Application
There is a good reason for the warning today that I don’t allow myself to slip away from following God. We must take care to guard our mind and hearts from the ways of the world. There are so many examples of things that are celebrated and legislated that are actually sin in disguise, dressed up to be something they aren’t. Verse 13 tells us to encourage each other daily, not weekly, monthly or when convenient, to not allow sin to creep in and take control. We are believers in Jesus Christ and this is not a one and done scenario where I can rationalize that I have my salvation now I can live however I want under grace. We are to bury the word in our hearts and to have perseverance in our faith that lasts today, tomorrow till the end in all our circumstances.
Prayer
Father,
Thank you for the truth in your word. Help me to be on guard to follow you and encourage each other daily. Let my faith persevere even when facing persecution and finish strong to glorify you.