Keep on

Hebrews 13:1-6

Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

The letter to the Hebrews is laced with words of encouragement from its writer concerning our spirituality, as well as our conduct from day to day. The very first of the letter contains words which establish Jesus and the primary core of their very being. It was true that God had spoken to his people in the past through the prophets, but now he speaks through his Son.

It is even suggested that we all should pay careful attention to the things we have heard, the things we have been taught, else we drift away. Those are words of warning for us to remain devoted to the faith because disobedience must be punished, and Jesus has died to bring our salvation.  We have no escape if we neglect this great salvation. 

We have written previously about Hebrews 11 being called the Bible chapter of faith. If it has been a while, read it again to see the demonstration of faith in the lives of numerous biblical characters. All of these are, according to chapter 12, a great cloud of witnesses, whose testimony is for us to put aside sinful ways and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus during our spiritual journey. 

Then comes the end of the letter, Hebrews 13, and there are several encouragements  for us to maintain our faith in God and maintain our love for one another. "Keep on loving each other as brothers." Remember the words of Jesus when he was asked which were the greatest commandments? He said the greatest commandments we can obey are, first, to love God; and the second is to love others as we love ourselves. This is the same message we are getting in these encouragements in Hebrews 13.  In  fact, these words tell us we are to even entertain strangers because some have even entertained angels without knowing it. 

We are to be mindful of those in prison, and treat them as if we were their fellow prisoners.  Treat the mistreated as if you yourself were suffering with them. 

Honor your marriage and avoid adultery and sexual immorality.  Remain free from loving money and be content with that you have. 

All is put in proper perspective when the writer says for us to remember the things God has said.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. (You can take that to the bank!) Our confidence is this, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

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