We live our lives in the shelter of each other. How can we help each other not to sin? I know. I know. In our cancel culture, we want everyone to take responsibility for their own behavior. “Sooner or later each of us sits down to a big banquet of consequences.” True enough. But in the church, we are responsible to help each other.
Listen to the writer of Hebrews’ arguments through his math equations. Jesus>angels. Jesus>Moses. Moses was faithful as a servant in his house. Jesus is faithful as a Son in the Father’s house. In Moses’ day, God prevented some of the Israelites from entering the promised land. They hardened their hearts and God closed the door to rest.
Now watch his application. “See to it brothers and sisters . . .” We have the same Father and we are to watch out for each other. In our churches, we should watch to see if anybody has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from God. In our Christian community, we encourage each other daily. What is the goal? No one left behind.
We know for sure that we all sin. Sin can harden our hearts pushing us farther away from God. In the church, as we care for each other’s souls, we determine it will not happen on our watch. When one man left his family, a pastor from his church called. The man asked to be taken off the church’s membership roll. Instead, the minister said, “Actually, you are ours. Until you join another church, we have spiritual responsibility for you. So we can’t just let you go.” He then urged the man to return to his family. “See to it . . .” No one left behind.
