Taking Care of Brothers

“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 share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”
Hebrews 3:12-14

Do we have any idea how dangerous and deceitful sin is? How often do you think of sin as “deceitful”? Not that it is just lying, but that its very nature is so successful in pulling off lies it seems to be very well know for bringing deception into fruition.

Next step from here: you are deceived. The question is not if, but when and how and in what ways. Do you live in such a way that people can see that they are going to hell if they do not repent? Can they see it in you? Or do they mistake you for a regular guy/girl? Do you think that being selfish is ok some of the time? How about a little “me” time? Ever thought that way? “I need a little time to sit down and focus on number one.” Oh, you think you’re number one? You are deceived. We worship Jesus because He is the best. Not you.

Guys, try this on for size. Do you think beauty is as important as being spiritual? Do you prize a good body and a pretty face more than a prayer life and kind acts? If you do (welcome to the club), you are deceived. Ladies, you are not exempt. You read those magazines that guys only look at. You think of all those ways in which you can look better. I have no problem with looking pretty. I am in the first group—of course I like it when women take care of their appearance. But the priority of it is the issue. Do you spend more time in front of the mirror than you do in front of your Bible? Or equal time?

I suppose the list of self-deceptions is not short. Sin is smart and thorough. It does not sleep. When you wake up, it never has a case of the Mondays. You are tired—sin is alert. Do you grumble in the morning? You must think that you deserve better than this. You are deceived.

With all this deception going around, something must be done. Paul exhorts Timothy to “always be sober-minded” (II Tim. 4:5). To be sober-minded is to not be inebriated with the things of this world, whatever they may be. But this is not enough for the writer of Hebrews. He gives us addition instruction: exhort one another.

There seem to be very few things those in the modern “church” hate more than correction. You want to speak truth in generalities? Fine and good. You want to get specific and speak truth in particular in my life. Get lost. But the writer says that there is a great danger if we don’t. He even speaks of how far we can be deceived—falling away.

There are some passages in Scripture that speak of people from God’s perspective. You know the ones about electing love, and all who hear His voice know Him and they follow Him—verses like that. But there are other verses that speak from man’s perspective. This is one of those. If a man or woman is truly born again they cannot fall away. But only God knows who is truly born again. And so we must live as though we were not absolutely sure about everyone. We must continually push others into the kingdom of God. We cannot act like it is a done deal. The exhortation from Hebrews is that we exhort every day, even “as long as it is called today.” This sends a sense of importance and urgency. As long as it is called today has the feel of “while there is still time.” We need one another if we are not going to be deceived. The question is not if we need exhortation, but when.

So ask someone for some correction today. If you don’t want correction, you are arrogant. Do not hesitate, but ask. For the real stuff. Not wimpy crap. Read the words of God and question yourself and ask others to evaluate you in light of it. “The psalm says blessed are those whose way is blameless. Am I blameless?” Nice question. Maybe too general. If we ask other believers who know their Bibles, how can we be ruined? Perhaps our self-esteem will be hurt, but our souls might be saved from falling away!

By the way, it has been a long time since I have asked this, but what can I do better? What bad patterns do you see in these emails? Do I tend to get lost in sin and forget about Jesus? Do I sound impersonal and academic? I would really like to know. Some days I feel like I don’t connect very well in my head. And some days I leave my heart on the shelf. I would appreciate observation and correction. From anyone. Do not hesitate Mary. Just because you are twelve does not make your opinion not count if you care for people and love the truth.

And for all the rest of you who are older, take heart. Be strong iron that sharpens iron. We are here to care about two things: the first is the truth, and the second is people. In this way we love God and show our love for Him.