Hebrews 3:13 - Paint or Get Off the Ladder.

Heb.3:13; Paint or Get Off the Ladder.

What we need to do so our hearts will not be hardened by sin?s
deceitfulness is to encourage each other in the faith. Heb 3:13 (CWB)

Sin appears fair, but is vile; it appears pleasant, but is
destructive; it promises much, but performs nothing. [Matthew Henry]

As our obedience follows according to the power of our faith, so
our sins and want of care are according to the prevailing of
unbelief in us. [Matthew Henry]

Perseverance in faith is the best evidence of the sincerity of
our faith. [Matthew Henry]

How do we find God and grow in him?  Jesus was adamant at this
point.  He says we must do what he says.  We must put into practical
obedience the knowledge that we have.  He continually asked people to drop
their nets, to sell all they had and to follow him.
We might say that Jesus had a theology of obedience.  And the
object of this obedience was a living person, not a historical norm,
not a code of laws, but himself.  He called people to be accountable
to God whether they were believers or skeptics who were searching.
For example, he told his disciples, "What is the point of calling
me, 'Lord, Lord,' without doing what I tell you to do?" (Luk.6:46
Phi)...
Jesus knew that obedience to his and his Father's words yielded
faith ... If I had to sum up one's response to the gospel message, I
would say as William Pannell has said, "It's paint - or get off the
ladder."  Jesus approached people exactly like that.  He told them to
pick up their brush and paint something.
Do you want to discover who Jesus is and deal honestly with your
doubts?  Jesus' style is not to suggest that you go and ponder the
virgin birth for three months but to begin doing what he says.
[Rebecca Pippert; Time with God devotional SB]

Our hearts turn away from the living God when we stubbornly
refuse to believe him. If we persist in our unbelief, God will
eventually leave us alone in our sin. But God can give us new hearts, new
desires, and new spirits. To prevent having an unbelieving heart, stay in
fellowship with other believers, talk daily about your mutual faith, be
aware of the deceitfulness of sin (it attracts but also destroys), and
encourage each other with love and concern. [Life Application SB]

God is able and willing to bestow upon His servants all the
strength they need and to give them the wisdom that their varied
necessities demand. He will more than fulfill the highest expectations of
those who put their trust in Him. AA242