Scripture

You must warn each other every day while it is still “today” so that none of you will be deceived and hardened against God.

Observation

The Holy Spirit warns us not to harden our hearts when we hear the voice of God. The Israelites did this when they rebelled in the wilderness. God therefore took an oath that they would never enter His rest.

Therefore we must be careful not to harden our hearts lest we turn away from God. We must warn one another so that we can all be faithful and endure to the end.

It was God’s people who rebelled against Him and made Him angry. Because of unbelief they were unable to enter His rest.

Application

As a christian community we have a responsibility to one another to warn each other against sin.

God’s plan is not for a church you go to for an hour’s entertainment and spiritual food. No, His plan is that the church should be a strong and deep community where we encourage, exhort, and even warn each other of the dangers of sin .

This presupposes a level of transparency and mutual accountability that makes uncomfortable many people in our highly individualistic culture.

The truth is that we need other people in order to grow in our faith in the Lord. We need people that we can trust, be honest with, and share our deepest failings with.

This kind of community is a rare thing. Yet it is what every congregation should aspire to be.

Prayer

Lord, I pray for my church that you will make us into the community of faith you want us to become. Amen