Theme: Hold fast to the End.
Text: Hebrews 3:12-19
Greetings
The Lord is good; his love endures forever. I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Today, we would meditate from Hebrews 3:12-19, titled “Hold fast to the End”. We are continuously thinking about staying True to end in our call to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ, commitment to worship Him in all circumstances. We must abide in Christ, in His words and his love. Now hold fast of your salvation exhortation and keep alert about the deceptions.
Hebrews writer says that we hold our original confidence firm to the last (ESV). We hold our first newborn confidence and original assured expectation firm and unshaken to the end (AMPC). I would like to remind all of us about the days we live. Every day or today belongs to us. Yesterday has gone and become part of History now we can’t change anything to it. Tomorrow is not ours, and no guarantee to claim the rights of it. So TODAY is mine. Today is yours. Let us use TODAY:
Today is the day of Exhortation (Hebrews 3:12)
Today is the day of Salvation (Hebrews 3:13-14)
Today is the day of Deception (Hebrews 3:15-19)
Live one day at a time, being saved every day, and exhorting one another on daily basis and be careful about everyday transactions of words, conversations and deeds. Be watchful about the relationship.
DAY OF SALVATION:
What does it mean Salvation? Pastors and Evangelists used to ask the question, are you saved? Dictionary Defines ‘Salvation is a deliverance from sin and its consequences believed to be brought about by faith in Christ’. Merriam Webster defines ‘the realisation of the supremacy of infinite Mind overall bringing with it the destruction of the illusion of sin, sickness, and death’ as the salvation.
According to Bible scholars, salvation is the reality with at once spiritual and physical, individual and communal, objective and subjective, eternal and historical dimensions. Salvation is a historical reality the temporal dimensions of past, present, and future further intensify and deepen this concept. Salvation is a process with a beginning and has an end. Further, salvation involves the paradox of human freedom and divine election (ref:biblestudytool.com). So, Salvation belongs to the Lord (Revelation 7:10).
The Greek word “Soteria” is an exclusive right of God that includes all creatures.
Prophet Isaiah prophesied about the Salvation: “Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favour I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages” (Isaiah 49:8). Paul quoted this verse: For he says, “In a favourable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of Salvation (ESV- 2 Corinthians 6:2).
Salvation is described as the mystery of God that is now revealed through Jesus Christ ( Ephesians 3:9, 6:19 ), a gift of grace through faith not of works ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ). It was a plan conceived even before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:3-14). It is an act of redemption from Sin (Romans 8:23) and reconciliation with God and one another (2 Corinthians 5:18-19), a transition from eternal death to eternal life (John 5:24). It assures peace with God (Rom 5:1).
Salvation means death to and freedom from sin (Romans 6), a new perspective that transcends the human point of view and participation in a new creation (Romans 5:16-17), salvation has said to be a spiritual birth, a birth from above without which one cannot enter the kingdom ( John 3:1-11 ). Salvation brings new honour as adopted children of God (Galatians 4:4). Salvation seals by the Holy Spirit for the final day of redemption.
This salvation is a light of revelation to the Gentiles ( Luke 2:30-32 ), a message for sinners of all kinds from small to big ( Mark 2:17 ). The whole creation groans for this salvation ( Romans 8:22 ). Salvation is justification by faith. Gospel has greater power to save all those who believe in it (Romans 1:16-17). Jesus was named as such so that he would save his people from their sins. If you have not accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, kneel, close your eyes, confess your sins, and accept him.
DAY OF EXHORTATION (Hebrews 3:12)
Christians are mutually responsible for one another. There is no individual Christianity. There are many denominations but One faith, One Bible and One Christ. God reputedly emphasised common living, community living and concerning living. Concerned about one another. Jesus had lonely prayer but lived with his Disciples.
Paul urged the Corinthians to listen to them. Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvellous life God has given us. God reminds us, I heard your call in the nick of time; The day you needed me, I was there to help. Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing (Phillips Bible). Therefore the author of the Hebrews stated “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard” (Hebrews 2:3).
Paul cried out saying and quoting from the Psalmist “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Generations had passed. Time had changed. Technological advancements are amazing but the sins of humanity never changed. Every day we need to exhort one another, warn everyone and motivate them to continue this faith life. We are busybodies so signals are needed to stop our speedy travel.
Paul puts the list of the SIN. He says, “now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. As I warned you before, I warn you that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). So Apostle John says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8,9).
For that Samaritan woman that hot day was the day of Salvation. She ran to the village, told about Christ, and brought many to the salvation Experience (John 4). For the Jailor that night was the day of Salvation. he used that night for the salvation of his household. As soon as Paul and Silas told the Jailor, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”(Acts 16:31). He responded to the Gospel, he was baptised at the midnight and had communion and meal. Early morning Jacob wrestled with God for his salvation and the salvation of his tribe (Genesis 33:26). All of them used the nick of the time for their personal, family and village salvation experience.
The Hebrews writer warns that “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27). God told Ezekiel to warn the wicked to turn from their evil ways. If they turn, I will forgive them, if they don’t they will die for their sin, but you will have saved yourself (Ezekiel 3:19).
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17). Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:4-5).
Paul warned the Corinthian Church believers to understand that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:50). Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Peter and Apostles affirmed that “and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
DAY OF DECEPTION (Hebrews 3:15-19)
Satan is known as a deceiver from the beginning (Matthew 27:63). The Serpent deceived Eve (Genesis 3:13) by his tricks (2 Corinthians 11:3), and by sweet talk (Colossians 2:4). For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment deceived me and put me to death (Romans 7:11). Deceptive whole days (Psalm 38:12). Kisses of enemies are deceptive than the reproof of a friend (Proverbs 27:6). Beauty is deceptive and snares to the believers (Proverbs 31:30). “What sorrow awaits Nineveh, the city of murder and lies! She is crammed with wealth and is never without victims”. The whole city was full of deception (Nahum 3:1).
Many deceivers (2 Corinthians 6:8, Titus 1:10, 2 John 7). John 7:12, the devil is the deceiver- (Revelation 12:9). Because their sister Dinah had been defiled, Jacob’s sons replied deceitfully as they spoke to Shechem and his father Hamor. Because of the lust of Shechem, he was deceived and urged his father to get Dinah. So, Hamore spoke deceitfully to their clan and they circumcised that day became a day of deception to this tribe and all the men of their village were killed. (Genesis 34:13).
Don’t do deceitfully the work of the Lord ( Jeremiah 48:10). The deceitfulness of the riches choke the word of and not able to grow deeper in prayer, exhorting one another (Matthew 13:22). The “care of this world” the deceitfulness of earthly riches—cheating the soul with its counterfeit shows of good—these choke the “word” in its inner life, and it becomes “unfruitful.” There may be some signs of fruitfulness, perhaps the “blade” and the “ear” of partial reformation and strivings after holiness, but there is no “full corn in the ear.”(Ellicott).
Let not your heart deceive you (Deuteronomy 11:16) Take heed that no one deceives you (Matthew 24:4). Let no man deceive you (Ephesians 5:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 1 John 3:7). Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor reviles, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God ( 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
“One day at a Time” by Meriam Ballina.
Conclusion:
Every day is a God-given day for our Salvation, for exhorting one another, and a day of deception.
