" Putting Feet to Faith "

Hebrews 13:1-9 "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers GOD will judge. 

Let you conversation (conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for HE hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the WORD of GOD: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. JESUS CHRIST the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

     The entire letter to the Hebrew believers is a heartfelt warning to these first century saints to press forward in their walk with GOD and refrain from going back to a legalistic approach to their fellowship with the LORD. The Judaizers were taking advantage of the hardships and difficulties faced by GOD's people and urging them to return to a ritualistic approach to dead religion rather than continuing to trust GOD and, by faith, walk according to what HE had revealed to them through HIS WORD.

     The first seventeen verses of this concluding chapter of Hebrews contain practical instruction to the church regarding the need to "put feet to faith" and live out a GOD-honoring moral Christian life. Chapter eleven presents examples of those who walked by faith, and chapter twelve is the author's exhortation wherein he encourages his readers to do the same. Chapter thirteen provides specific application explaining what this looks like as it is lived out in the life of a believer who is walking by faith.

     The pertinent guidance in Hebrews 13 stems from the strong, sound, doctrinal considerations that preceded this chapter. Rather than "draw back," thinking they could merit GOD's favor by returning to a legalistic system, the believers needed to move forward in their resolve to enter the life of rest in JESUS CHRIST through continually believing and trusting the LORD (Hebrews 12:1-3 all pictured above). Thus, in this final chapter, the author of Hebrews provides practical moral and ethical principles that should mark every believer's life. We will consider these GOD-ordained instructions, yet we must keep in mind -- each directive presupposes a walk of faith and trust in GOD.

Love and Sympathy toward Brethren in Need . . .

     Because the Hebrew believers were facing opposition and persecution both from Gentile political zealots as well as unbelieving Jews, they needed to express "brotherly love" (philadelphia) toward one another (Hebrews 13:1 pictured above). This kind of love entails a display of kindness, sympathy, and helpfulness -- something they would not get from their enemies. In today's culture, this is just as important for us since the world is becoming increasingly uncivil and antagonistic to the truth and to those who embrace it. We need to encourage, support, and lift up other saints who are enduring the fight.

     In verse two, the Greek word for "entertain strangers" is connected to the English word "hospitality." In other words, the saints were to be hospitable to others and seek to help them even at the expense of their own comfort. Public accommodations at the time were often unsafe or of moral disrepute, so friendliness to strangers extended beyond the local church fellowship and included hosting believers who were traveling from town to town. Abraham (Genesis 18:1-3), Lot (Genesis 19:1-3), Gideon (Judges 6:11-24), and Manoah (Judges 13:6-20) were remembered for this kind of hospitality that is pleasing to GOD. Later, the Apostle John commended Gaius for his same virtue (3rd.John 5-6 pictured above).

     Finally, the Hebrew believers were to demonstrate care for their brethren who had been imprisoned or who were being persecuted for their faith (Hebrews 13:3 pictured above). They previously had done this well (Hebrews 10:32-34), but now they needed a reminder to continue showing empathy and concern toward those who were suffering. Today, are we characterized by this same care, support, and encouragement of our brothers and sister in CHRIST ?

CHRIST-Honoring Personal Conduct . . .

     Today's Scripture reading also admonishes the believer to maintain sexual purity (Hebrews 13:4). The GOD-give expression of sexuality is to be confined to marriage between a man and a woman. The LORD will deal with fornicators (unmarried) and adulterers (married) who refuse to repent of and forsake their licentious behavior (v.4b cf. 1st.Corinthians 6:9-11 pictured above). Under the Law, the Israelites were to execute judgment, but in this age, our text informs us that GOD will be the JUDGE of all who partake in sexual sin.

     Verses five and six provide a warning concerning covetousness and an exhortation to contentment. Covetousness is a heart attitude that can harm a believer's walk before his LORD and before others. Truly, the "love of money is the root of all evil" (1st.Timothy 6:6-10), and "he that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house" (Proverbs 15:27). The author of Hebrews then elaborates on the doctrine of contentment -- the converse of covetousness. Lack of contentment is a blight of twenty-first century Christianity, for so many are looking for something better, something bigger, something more enjoyable than the simplicity that is in CHRIST JESUS (v.5b). If we were truly focused upon GOD and HIS perfect provision and trusting in what HE has declared in HIS WORD, then we could say with the psalmist, "The LORD is my HELPER, and I will not fear. . ." (v.6 cf. Psalm 118:6 pictured above). This must be our outlook at all times, regardless of our circumstances.

     Ultimately, these three verses address contentment in the Christian life: in our relationships (v.4), with our possessions (v.5 pictured above), and through our GOD (v.6). The Hebrew saints needed to make the link between faith living and contentment; so do we !

Remember Your Instructors in the Faith . . .

     The Hebrew believers were to honor (respect) their current teachers and watchmen (Hebrews 13:17) as well as those who had so guided them in the past and were now with the LORD (v.7), many of whom had been martyred. These early Christians were to consider how their spiritual mentors had been faithful unto death, and they were to follow their courageous example. Notice that those who had gone before had faithfully communicated "the WORD of GOD" -- the root and foundation of all righteous living and conduct; the Hebrews were to respect and emulate these men (v.7).

     Verse eight transitions from the former teachers to the true and unchanging doctrine that they taught. The very JESUS WHO was the Hebrews' SAVIOR and SUSTAINER during their early Christian experience was and still is the same -- past, present, and future (v.8). JESUS is immutable, and HIS WORD and promises stand firm ! But sadly, false teacher had already entered the church and were leading some back to a compromise with Judaism (v.9). The Hebrew saints were confused and misled, thinking that eating or not eating certain foods earned them favor with GOD (Colossians 2:16 pictured above; 1st.Timothy 4:1-5); thus, the author exhorted them to be "established with grace" (v.9). It is not by legalism that Christians grow strong spiritually. Just as in salvation, grace and faith are essential to the believer's maturity and growth. It is through GOD's grace, not works or rituals, that we walk by and faith and "serve GOD acceptably" (Hebrews 12:28 pictured above). These saints needed greater stability in their doctrinal knowledge and subsequent conduct. Sound teaching and apostolic admonition were key, and we today need to hear and heed them as well. MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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