Hebrews 3: Winning the Race
Coaches tell us that what distinguishes average from superior athletes is the will to win. Endowed with equal physical strengths, one reaches the heights of stardom while the other slips into obscurity. In this chapter, the writer describes two equally endowed Christian runners in the faith-race. One succeeded and the other failed. What made the difference? The will to win. One held firmly to Christ, but the other fell by the wayside because of a hard heart.
Warming Up to God
What makes the difference between vibrant, growing Christians you know and those who appear to be dull and uninterested in the implications of their profession of faith?
Read Hebrews 3. »
Discovering the Word
- What does the writer emphasize about Jesus in verses 1-6 that would encourage us to "fix [our] thoughts" on him (v. 1) and "hold on" to our courage and hope (v. 6)?
- In verses 7-11 the writer hoists his second warning— unbelief and disobedience. These verses describe the nation of Israel after they crossed the Red Sea. They refused to obey God's command to take the Promised Land because they were afraid of the military might they would face. So they were forced to wander forty years till that whole generation died off. How does the psalmist describe God's perspective on the Israelites?
- In what ways might Christians "test and try" God (v. 9)? Why?
- How did God judge the Israelites whom Moses led out of Egypt (vv. 15-19)?
- Why did he judge them in this way?
Applying the Word
- Review the facts about the hardhearted (vv. 8, 10, 12-13, 15-18). Which aspects of this lifestyle come closest to your experience?
- What are you doing to avoid the peril of "falling in the desert" (v. 17)?
Responding in Prayer
Pray for your own salvation.
For Further Study
Hebrews by Ray C. Stedman