Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. Hebrews 3:12-14
Have you ever heard someone say they “fell away from the faith?” Some seasons in life can be marked by an unbelieving heart which is a lack of motivation to follow God and His ways. This Christian life is one that is lived by faith. Faith, being the ability to continue to believe in God, even when circumstances change. When our life is marked by unbelief (no distinction between us and those in the world) its highly problematic and could indicate that we have fallen away from the living God. Thank God, we can recognize again that we have become partakers of Christ- and that’s where we should return to find our assurance.
Is my heart completely for God? Does it show? Who might need encouragement and help returning to God?
God, as this day begins- Thank you for your goodness and grace. Draw many to Yourself who have gone astray, whose hearts may have grown cold, who are lacking an assurance of salvation. Use me as Your watchman on the wall.
A resolution from Jonathan Edwards: #52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
