There’s SOMETHING that we need to DO ‘TODAY’!
December
13 Bible Reading: Hebrews Chapters 1-3
There’s SOMETHING that we need to DO ‘TODAY’!
"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any
of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is
called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the
beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do
not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." (Heb 3:12-15)
The above
passage gives us an important application drawn for us from Israel’s experience
from Psalm 95:7, 8, most of who hardened their hearts and rebelled against God
and the leaders God had placed over them. The way to avoid this is through mutual
exhortation. Especially in days of difficulty and distress, we should be daily
urging others not to go back on their Christian commitments.
Let us
understand that serious losses are awaiting unbelieving believers who refuse to
listen to God and hardens their hearts deliberately. People with hard hearts
know the truth but resist it and refuse to obey it. They know that God chastens
disobedient children, but they almost defy God to act. They think they can sin
and get away with it. The first step toward a hard heart is neglect of the Word
of God (Heb. 2:1–4), not taking it seriously. It is either “hearing” or “hardening.”
Christ saves
completely those who come to God through Him (7:25), but we must guard our own
and each other’s endurance by encouraging one another as the author does
throughout this letter (13:22). This is an important stronghold to resist the
temptation of sin, the world and Satan. Constant encouragement in the midst of
a caring fellowship will help believers remain faithful to God.
The writer
of Hebrews tells us that there is something we need to do today
and
everyday of our lives – we need to exhort others and receive
exhortation from others based on God’s Word on
a daily basis. The great benefit from this is that our hearts will not
become hardened through sinning before God on a constant basis. Through mutual
exhortation only we can remain true to God and His Holy Word!
