Hebrew 3 - The Power of "Today!"

Click Here to Read or Listen to Hebrews 3


12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

The author calls the Hebrews, his holy brothers and sisters, showing us his personal relationship with them. The author uses the ministry of Moses, one of the most important figures in the Old Testament. Moses was obedient and built God's house, but Jesus is the ruler and owner of God's house. Though Moses delivered the Israelites through the Red Sea, the Israelites forgot about it and soon rebelled in the desert worshipping other gods. 

Since he is writing to a Jewish audience, he uses this example to warn the Hebrews of falling into the same trap their ancestors did. He calls it "sin's deceitfulness". Just as the devil is a "deceiver" so is our own sinful nature. It tricks us into turning back to living to please the desires of the flesh. We use many reasons to rationalize it. We deserve it. We are forgiven so what's the big deal. I am not perfect so what's the big deal.   

When we continue to sin and disobey God, our heart slowly hardens. Soon we feel less and less guilty of our sin and rationalize that it is ok after all, "everybody sins!" Sin can deceive us by gradually changing our responsiveness to God. We become comfortable with what is drawing us away from God and start hanging around who are the same trajectory.

Let me say, none of us are immune to this. You and I do daily battle against the desires of our flesh. Paul says, "Our battle is not against flesh and blood by against the ruler of this present darkness." Ephesians 6:12 Not only do we battle against our own sinful desires, we are tempted to conform to the world and buy into its empty promises. The scriptures says, "Our enemy the devil roars like a lion looking to destroy us." 1 Peter 5:8

So what should we do so this won't happen to us? While we need to be aware of all of the above we needn't be paralyzed in fear about it.  The writer of Hebrews them gives them a clear path for faithfulness and freedom from sin. 

1. Fis your thoughts on Jesus. We are what "we think about most". We will see a great verse about this next chapter in Hebrews 4:8. This is why reading a chapter a day and reading this blog will keep your thoughts focused on Christ.

2. "Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." How do we hear God's voice? We hear God's voice through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and counselor. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin or warns us of incoming temptation to sin. We can either listen to the Spirit's voice and walk in obedience and "quench" or not listen to the Holy Spirit. 

3. Encourage each other "daily!"  Notice he doesn't say once a week at worship. Or, once a week at your small group, though both of those are essential for every Christian. But he tells us to encourage each other "daily". I guess he considers it pretty important. 

The word "encourage" literally means to instill courage from within. It takes courage to say "no" to our sinful desires. It takes courage to admit when we are wrong. It takes courage to be honest with other brothers and sisters in Christ, who can encourage us and pray for us!

4. And finally it says, "Do so Today!"  If you are feeling vulnterable to sin or weighed down by worries, disappointment, our guilt don't wait.  Reach out today to someone you trust to encourage you.  On the flipside as a believer we should constantly be looking at those who we need to encourage. 

Where do you feel vulnerable to temptation? How might the Holy Spirit help you to listen to God's voice not the devil's? Importantly the Holy Spirit will also give you the willingness and power to obey when you rely on It's power. 

Do you need encouragement today? Call a brother or sister in Christ? Do you know someone who needs encouragement? Give them a call or text and ask them how they are doing? Maybe you could pray for them!

"Remember ... don't wait for tomorrow, do it today!"

Jesus, thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit to help turn away from sin's deceitfulness and the lies of our enemy, the devil. As we fix our thoughts on you, we can claim the victory and grow in love, faith and obedience. Help us to seek encouragement when we need it and give it to someone else who needs it! Amen.   

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