What does Hebrews 3:13 mean?

This passage is a warning to Christian believers not to allow stubbornness, sin, or a lack of faith to rob them of God's promised blessings. The nation of Israel suffered when it failed to "hold fast," and spent forty years wandering in the desert. So too can a Christian suffer when they lack trust and faith in God.

One key to avoiding this pitfall is the influence of other Christian believers. One of the great benefits of healthy church relationships is loving correction. Having a meaningful, personal relationship with other Christians means "watching each other's back." This means warning our brothers and sisters in Christ when they are being pulled away into sin and helping them to resist temptation and error. The author's urgency is highlighted by using the phrase "as long as it is called 'today.'" This, in more modern terms, could be stated as "do it while you still can."

The New Testament often explains that sin is deceptive, destructive, and deadly (2 Timothy 3:13; Titus 3:3). It can also create a spiritual callous, making us less sensitive to our own sin (1 Timothy 4:2). Fellow Christians should love each other enough to "exhort," meaning "encourage, uplift, or challenge" each other when it comes to living a righteous life.