Firm to the End
Today's reading: Hebrews 3:1-19
'Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 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. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.' - Hebrews 3:12-14 ESV
Any time that God speaks, we have a decision to make. Will we harden our hearts, refusing to do this His way? Or will we refuse to harden our hearts (even if we don't completely understand) and submit to his will?
The key seems to be having other Christians surround us and "exhort" us. What does this word mean? It is the word parakaleo in Greek, and it can also be translated as encourage or urge. The word is very similar to one of the descriptions that Jesus uses when talking about the Holy Spirit.
How important is your encouragement to other Christians? It is vital. Apparently our faith cannot survive without it.
Be an exhorter/encourager/urger today to someone you come across. In doing so, you can make an eternal difference.