By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Hebrews 3:12-13 "See to it, brothers, 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."
The context of these verses is about entering God’s rest, with a warning against unbelief which can hinder entry to this rest. Its God’s will that we rest in total trust and reliance on Him. Whatever labour ensues as a result, should be as God instructs for His service to His glory, and not to impress and win His favor. Many labour to attain what God has already provided for us and can be achieved by faith.
To this effect, the brothers were encouraged to ensure that none of them had a sinful unbelieving heart which manifests in turning away from God through unbelief. They were to achieve this by encouraging one another daily. The more one continues in sin and unbelief, the more their hearts are hardened to the truth of God. Over time, they are no longer responsive to the truth.
Decietfulness of sin comes over time through unbelief. Sin is deceptive. It promises pleasure, happiness and peace, but gives misery, trouble and restlessness. As a person continues in it, they get entangled, bound and hard hearted towards God. In that state of sin’s misery, you can never know God’s rest, because there is no peace to the wicked. Don’t be deceived by the temporary pleasures of sin. Its end is painful. Learn from Moses;
"He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time." (Heb 11:25)
Shalom children of God.