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BEWARE BRETHREN ... LEST THERE BE IN ANY OF YOU AN EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF IN DEPARTING FROM THE LIVING GOD... HEBREWS 3:12.

DEPARTURE IS DAMNABLE!

I believe the first question we need to ask is.. why is Paul talking in this manner to Christians?

In fact, he is talking to holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling. Paul's implication here is very clear, crystal clear, so clear that even a babe in the Christ would see it.. that is if they willed to... 2 Timothy 4:3,4.

Paul says.. beware!.. therefore this is a warning, then he says brethren, therefore we are sure he is talking to all brethren in the Christ. He then tells us that to doubt God is considered evil in Gods eyes.

Paul says an evil heart is one that does not believe or ceases to believe. He says that it is doubt that will lead us to depart from God.

He tells us in verse thirteen that sin is deceitful and that it will harden the softest or best heart .. beware!. . then he adds to this by saying in verse fourteen that the Hebrew saints and us also must finish the race of faith if we are to obtain the prize .. crown of life.

In summary, this whole chapter of Hebrews .. chapter three .. speaks of faithfulness, endurance and holiness and totally destroys the myth, the false teaching of .. once saved always saved or predestination without choice or will and the other heresy of, saints living in sin and still receiving a crown of life... 2 Timothy 2:19.

In a nutshell, Paul warns the Hebrew Christians/saints/brethren/born again brethren that they are to take heed to their footsteps and that we can never rule out the possibility of people departing from the faith which is quoted here as .. departing from the living God... Hebrews 2:3.

It is like the word.. apostate, which comes from the word apostasy. How in the world can a person forsake something or someone that they have had nought to do with?.. In order to apostasise or forsake or abandon we must have once upon a time had a relationship or connection with the thing or person that has been disregarded ..amen?... John 6:66.

Therefore I rest my case in this.. today, if you will hear His voice do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. If you were to read the complete chapter it can not be avoided, that Paul was implying here that we all must sort out our salvation with fear and trembling before our awesome God and saviour ... Jesus the Christ... amen.