Our Scripture meditation is based on Hebrews 3:12-13, part of the Epistle reading for next week.
[12] Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. [13] 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.
At first glance, this passage seemed to provide a pedestrian solution for an alarming problem. It’s a blessing that the context of the passage clarifies the instruction in these verses.
What could be more alarming than unbelief, meaning losing saving faith in Christ? Our relationship with God now and through eternity is literally contingent upon this God-given faith in Christ.
How does the author of Hebrews recommend we prevent such a damning fate? We should exhort each other. Maybe that’s not fair to the author. He does say we should exhort each other daily. I must say, even daily exhortations seem like a weak encouragement for such a serious spiritual condition.
This is why the context of Bible passages are so important. At the end of the passage the author says our exhortations should help keep us from the “deceitfulness of sin.” Exhortations to avoid sin and embrace holiness have some gravity. Persistent sin can lead to unbelief. Therefore, we exhort one another to repent of sins. We exhort those who have sinned against each other to reconcile. We exhort each other to moral and chaste lives.
When we make this kind of exhortation a daily practice, this is a fitting response to such a grave concern.
Kevin Wilson 360 