No faith left behind
(Read Hebrews 3)
When we read the Bible, do we really stop and really pour over the meaning behind the words of scripture? It’s tempting to scan it like a text book in school. Hebrews 3 warned the Jewish Christians at that time (and us) how perilous it is to stray from our belief. As believers, we are Christ’s church and body. Once we have this status, it’s an attack on God to abandon our faith.
“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.”
The writer of Hebrews wasn’t casually requesting his fellow Christians to to lightly glance at Jesus and his true meaning. He urged them to let Christ’s deity pierce into their hearts and souls. He (the writer) knew those reading his letter worshipped and valued holiness and greatness of Moses. It was incorrect for them to place Moses at the same level as Jesus Christ.
“For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”
Moses was a significant part of God’s house, a prominent structure in the building, but Christ is the builder and cornerstone of the house. Stop to consider who and what Christ really is. His greatness is even more awesome when we consider not only what he has done, but all that he still has yet to do. Moses took care of God’s people, as a servant to him, but Jesus served as a son. The greek word ‘pleíōn’ (Hebrews 3:3) described Christ as being greater than Moses in in reference to quantity, quality, and superiority.
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness,
where your ancestors tested and tried me,
though for forty years they saw what I did.
That is why I was angry with that generation;
I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.’
So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’
Temptation can be a test, but testing God when he is showing us the way, borders on apostasy — straying and leaving our faith behind. It is a direct affront to God and it strips us of our true beauty, our eternal future, and our image in the eyes of God.
The time we spend resisting to obey and trust is time wasted on our true path God has set before us. God’s punishment is in view for testing him and abandoning his will, but maybe not being on his path is punishment in and of itself — ultimately not getting in to heaven.
“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.”
Some believers at the time Hebrews was written were waffling in their faith. They knew the truth and possibly believed it for an instant, but as Hebrews 3 stated, they are not Christ’s house unless they hold to their faith firmly. Temporary Christians are not Christians in the end.
“Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.”
Hebrews 3 was written for believers, “holy brothers and sisters”. When we refuse to trust in God, we stray further from the truth. Our hearts become hardened and eventually, we start believing sin is harmless. Hold fast and only leave your earthly treasures behind.
Highlights:
- In friendship, like faith, it is vital to be loyal and consistent. It shows true character when we are devoted and dedicated through thick and thin times. God knows our struggles and only puts in front of us what we can handle. We owe it to him to stay the course.
- Have you ever been warned of something in clear and certain terms and ignored the advice? This is a temptation that a lot of us fall victim to.
- Being a Christian isn’t about being right. It’s about our relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about being like him. Being like Jesus means it’s our job to steer people and especially believers on God’s path.
Applications:
- The next time you come across a relationship challenge. Whether it’s with a family member, friend, or co-worker, be deliberate and consistent in your interaction. Don’t try to win them over, point them to the greater truth. Be Christlike, patient, and loving. It’s not easy but as a believer, we are called to do this.
- Think back to some mistakes you’ve made. Consider if it could have been prevented. Were you warned? Did your conscience tell you to act differently? This is usually God talking. Pay attention.
- We as believers of Jesus Christ as our savior and as the Son of God, will join him in his kingdom of heaven for eternity. When we see fellow believers or former believers who are starting to stray, comfort them, hold them, encourage them, and try to guide them back onto God’s path. As they say, no man left behind. As Christians, no faith can be left behind either.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.