HOLD ON FIRMLY TO YOUR BELIEF IN CHRIST NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS

Proclamation:

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from The Living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.”  Hebrews 3:12-14 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the unknown human author of The Bible Book of Hebrews to the Hebrew believers, and indirectly to all believers.  He begins this chapter stating that Jesus, The Christ, is greater than Moses. (Hebrews 3:1-6)  Then he warns the people against unbelief by quoting Old Testament scriptures. (Hebrews 3:7-11 is taken from Psalm 95:7-11)  He goes on to tell them not to turn away from God and not to let their hearts be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  After that he encourages them to encourage one another and tells them to hold on to their beliefs and convictions.

Application:

The storms of life can sometimes knock us down, and sinful temptations can test us, but we should never let go of our belief and conviction in Christ.  Even if we fall into sin, we should never turn away from Christ, and we should never doubt Him.  The devil can tempt us and test us because he knows our weaknesses.  However, there can be not testimony without first having to pass a test.  Since we all have our temptations, let us encourage each other daily.  Let us also share The Word of God with others.  Failure to believe in Christ is the reason for the loss of salvation.  Those who have heard The Word of God and who choose not to believe are lost.

Keep The Faith Don't Turn Away From God

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today', so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." Hebrews 3:12-14 (NIV)

The unknown author of the book of Hebrews is telling the scattered Christians not to turn away from the true and living God. He warned them not to develop a sinful unbelieving heart during the hard times that they were enduring after the death of Christ. He encouraged them to hold on to the faith that they had when they first believed.

It is not hard to find a person who claims that they used to believe until something happened, like the death of a loved one or the development of a serious health problem, that caused them to lose faith and become a non-believer. What is hard, is not becoming one of those people ourselves when we face very difficult, faith testing times. Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62) Jesus also said, "... but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22) Giving up when the going gets hard is never looked upon very highly. The world has a saying, "Winners never quit, and quitters never win." We are winners, we have already been assured of the victory. (Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57; & 1 John 5:4) Don't give up the faith. And, let us do what we can to encourage others to also keep the faith.