Hebrews 3:12-14 ESV
" 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 have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."
To fall away from the living God one must have believed in the living God and drawn near. Unbelieving here seems to be a gradual process which can lead one to "fall away". Hardening takes place over time. Believing can give way to unbelieving.
Sin is ever present and is always working to deceive.
In the last verse we see "We share in Christ, followed by an "if" statement. We must continue believing. Initial belief is the beginning of a journey. For some the journey will end tomorrow. For others years will pass.
Just as hardening can take place over time, so can our confidence and faith keep us pliable and open to the Spirit. Starting with Christ is good, but finishing with Christ is better. We will reach the end either way. Stand firm.
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