Today
September 18, 2015
Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
When one reads the book of Hebrews you will find that there seems to be a sense of urgency within every word and chapter. The writer wants his readers to listen and listen now. He reminds his audience of the importance of heeding God’s word today. This cannot wait for tomorrow for tomorrow may be too late. “Today you must listen to his voice, don’t harden your hearts against him.” “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.” “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” The book is written to those who have been Christians for a while. They are tired and discouraged. Perhaps they have faced persecution and rejection. Or maybe they’ve just become bored, lazy, and self-reliant as time has passed. He reminds them there is no room for apathy in following Christ. There is no standing still in the faith. We are either growing or falling away. We never remain in the same place. Christians (including myself) sometimes think there is no danger in not growing. The writer of Hebrews seems to think otherwise. He believes we are always moving, and there are two directions in which one can move: deeper or adrift. Either we keep growing, maturing, becoming stronger in the faith, or we are content, unaware that our indifference is gradually leading us away. Each day and each decision is a choice to move forward or to step back. May the book of Hebrews remind us that it is no part of our calling to settle down and become indifferent. Our calling is to press forward continually, following the Way of Christ.
-Brandon Dasinger, Missions Pastor
When one reads the book of Hebrews you will find that there seems to be a sense of urgency within every word and chapter. The writer wants his readers to listen and listen now. He reminds his audience of the importance of heeding God’s word today. This cannot wait for tomorrow for tomorrow may be too late. “Today you must listen to his voice, don’t harden your hearts against him.” “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.” “So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.” The book is written to those who have been Christians for a while. They are tired and discouraged. Perhaps they have faced persecution and rejection. Or maybe they’ve just become bored, lazy, and self-reliant as time has passed. He reminds them there is no room for apathy in following Christ. There is no standing still in the faith. We are either growing or falling away. We never remain in the same place. Christians (including myself) sometimes think there is no danger in not growing. The writer of Hebrews seems to think otherwise. He believes we are always moving, and there are two directions in which one can move: deeper or adrift. Either we keep growing, maturing, becoming stronger in the faith, or we are content, unaware that our indifference is gradually leading us away. Each day and each decision is a choice to move forward or to step back. May the book of Hebrews remind us that it is no part of our calling to settle down and become indifferent. Our calling is to press forward continually, following the Way of Christ.
-Brandon Dasinger, Missions Pastor