Holding Firm to the End – Hebrews 3:14–15
Sep 4, 2025 49
[14] For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. [15] As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (ESV)
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Sharing in Christ
At first glance, verse 14 can sound unsettling: “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Does that mean salvation is uncertain, always hanging in the balance? Not at all. The writer is describing the very nature of genuine faith. True faith endures. Real participation in Christ is demonstrated in perseverance.
As John Owen notes, “Our partaking in Christ is being united with him; and the confidence that we are called to maintain is our remaining in Christ, as the branch remains in the vine.” (Commentary on Hebrews, p. 71)
If you’re in Christ, you already share in His benefits: forgiveness, adoption, hope, and eternal life. However, the proof of that reality is not shown in a fleeting moment of enthusiasm, but in a steady, ongoing trust that clings to Jesus through the highs and the lows of life.
Hearing His Voice
That’s why verse 15 repeats the warning of Psalm 95: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Every day we are called to respond afresh to God’s Word, softening our hearts in trust rather than hardening them in unbelief.
Perseverance isn’t passive. It means showing up day after day, hearing God’s voice, and choosing to trust Him. It means fixing your eyes on Christ, even when life feels like a wilderness.
Christ Holds Us Fast
Here’s the good news: our endurance is not ultimately about how tightly we grip Christ, but about how securely He grips us. As we saw last week, Jesus is the faithful Son over God’s house. He has already walked the path of obedience, faced the cross, and triumphed over sin and death. By His Spirit, He strengthens us to keep going.
We hold fast because He first held us. We persevere because He preserves. And that confidence – begun at conversion and carried through to glory – is anchored not in our performance but in the finished work of Christ. Hallelujah!
Reflection:
Where are you tempted to loosen your grip on Christ, and how might you remember that He is the one holding you fast?
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