Hebrews 3:14 “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”
In view of the current political state of our Country, it is reasonable to anticipate attacks upon many of the freedoms that we enjoy, including Religious Freedom. In times such as these, it is important for us to remember that Jesus Christ our Lord is “the beginning of our confidence”; that is, He is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) and we are to steadfastly “hold” to Him and to His Word and to His Church “unto the end”; that is, “stedfast unto the end” of our present tribulation. As “the author … of our faith”, He alone establishes and activates faith within us. As “the … finisher of our faith”, He effectually refines it and strengthens us in the use of it. Sadly, like Israel of old (Hebrews 3:17-19), the Children of God are sometimes led away into error and slothfulness, and if not corrected, the consequences are quite severe (Hebrews 3:19). To be “partakers of Christ” is to enjoy the knowledge that He is always near us, that He will not forsake us, that He will always love us, that He will provide for us in times of need, that He will strengthen us when we falter, that He will pick us up when we fall, and that He is the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother! Israel did not remain “stedfast unto the end”; therefore, they could not enter the Promised Land of Canaan (Hebrews 3:19), they died in the wilderness! Isaiah declared it and warned us this way, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:19-20)! Right now, is a good time for us all to prayerfully conduct a “confidence” check within ourselves, our families, and our Churches!