Consistently committed until the end
For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. Hebrews 3:14 CSB
As we saw from last week, believers are to encourage one another to hold fast in their faith, so that they can combat the temptation of sin. To drive that point home, the author emphasizes from the text consistency. The author calls the believers as “participants in Christ.” Hebrews 3:14 is parallel to what the author already said in Hebrews 3:6, “Christ was faithful as a Son over his household. And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast.” In v. 6, Christians belong to the household of God and that we have this confidence and hope to which we need to hold on to. In v. 14, we have this phrase, “the reality that we had at first.” With the title, “participants in Christ,” comes the challenge to continue in the commitment with Jesus. How long are they to be committed to this relationship? “Until the end the reality that we had at the start.” Believers are to hold fast to Christ until they either pass away or Jesus’ return. As Lea writes, “To do anything less would demonstrate that they had never experienced salvation.” True believers will unwaveringly continue to profess their faith in Jesus and will endure until the end. As a positive note, to be a participant in Christ is to be a part of His family, being united in the church body of believers, and, when in heaven, participate in His kingdom for all eternity. The key warning challenge is to “hold firmly.” It means constant focus and committed effort. This cannot be done half-heartedly. As we saw previously in 2 Peter 3:17-18, a true believer will actively pursue growing in their relationship with God: “Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.” It is by having faith in Christ that we get save. It is also by having faith in Christ that we continually grow in our relationship with Him. As we are in the beginning of this new year, then, if you are a believer, this is a great time to shed off previous bad habits and established spiritual daily habits, such as reading your Bible every day and sharing the gospel to someone. Consistency is the key. Since faith is the foundation of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, let us allow Him to work His will in our lives, being safe and secure as members of God’s household. “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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