Hebrews 13:1-6: “Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them; those who are mistreated; since you yourselves are in the body also. 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
The author is finishing this deep theological book with some very pragmatic advice; for the Christ-follower is to live and operate like Jesus Himself. We are to be His hand and His feet. We walk through this world living differently then the world around us. We are to be the exception to this world. We do not act and behave like everyone else. If we did then why would anyone be attracted to the message that we share? These few verses touch some basics of life that make us stand out to this world.
The author mentions that Christ-followers are to be hospitable. We are to open up our hearts to strangers. We are to be characterized by the love of Christ. That is what compels us to entertain strangers, and visit the prisoners in Jail. The author states that we are to remember them as if we ourselves are locked in chains with them. When we willingly put ourselves in their place our outlook will change. We start thinking, “It would be nice if someone cared and shared a good word with me, instead of leaving me in here to rot.” Not only are we to think of the stranger and be moved with compassion, we are also to look inside our own homes.
The author says we need to oppose adultery and fornication (sex out side of the marriage commitment). Those practices are that of the world around us. Christ-followers, consider the marriage bed a sacred place and our commitment unbreakable. We operate with the conviction that our word, promise, and obedience to God are greater then our lusts.
The author writes, “be content with such things”; we need contentment in our lives. That contentment is our witness of Jesus in our lives. How can we expect God to give us more blessings when we are not content with the ones He has already given us? Give God thanks for what you are blessed with today. If your provisions for tomorrow were based on your thanksgiving today, how would you fair?
Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: Ezek. 20-21 New Testament James 1
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