A Right Response to Fellow Christians Hebrews 13 (vv. 1–9)

1 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?” 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

I. To Believers with Special Needs (vv. 1–3)

1 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.

A. What is Christian love?

It involves showing special regard for the needs of fellow believers. The fact that the writer of Hebrews urged his readers to keep on loving each other suggests that some of them may have neglected this important response.

Showing “brotherly” love demanded treating fellow believers as esteemed family members. One practical demonstration of love involves meeting the needs of Christian workers on the move. Facilities for travelers were often not available. Whenever they were, they were usually dens of immorality and danger.

B. Whoever entertained a servant of the Lord entertained the Lord himself.

Abraham entertained mysterious strangers who were in reality angels. The principle here teaches us that it is better to treat needy guests as messengers from God than to risk offending them by an inhospitable act. Messengers from God brought a greater blessing than they received. Whoever.

Imprisoned believers could easily be forgotten and neglected. We need to identify and help those imprisoned and mistreated for their Christian commitment. One day we could face the same experiences of suffering. Thus, we need to focus on the sufferers as if we ourselves were the victims of suffering.

II. To the Family (vv. 4–6)

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?”

A. Christians have a different approach to marriage.

Marriage is to be honored by all. Even among believers today the stability of marriage faces strong challenges. Christians must honor marriage as divine in its origin and as right and good in its practice. This verse helps us to see that celibacy is not superior to marriage.

Those who are married must maintain moral purity. The fact that God will judge sexual promiscuity provides motivation for a holy lifestyle among believers. Violators of this command may be celebrated by some human beings, but they will reap eternal divine displeasure.

B. Another threat to family stability is materialism.

Obeying two features could control materialism. First, renounce love of money. Do not make the possession of money an end in itself. Second, be content with what you have. The presence of God in all of life encourages such contentment.

Knowing the Lord will not abandon us gives us the stability to enjoy what he gives us. Enjoying his unfailing presence is better than coveting glistening bullions of gold.

C. Another threat to family life is anxiety.

Encouraging words from Psalm 118:6–7 remind us that God’s presence in life banishes anxiety about personal needs. This is the only New Testament verse describing God as a helper. Jesus is the source of help for the tempted.

The question, What can man do to me? presumes the answer: “Nothing at all!” With God’s presence, no event in life can shake believers from their foundation. Anxiety about life’s needs or challenges has no place in the heart of the believer who has determined to make God his helper.

III. In the Fellowship of the Church (vv. 7–9)

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

A. Committed believers are to imitate the faith of their spiritual leaders and avoid unchristian doctrines.

The readers were to reflect on both the words and deeds of these former leaders, from beginning to end, and imitate their faith. Steady spiritual reflection on the life of a committed believer can teach us lessons of faith, commitment, and priority. Once we have seen the outcome of their ruling passion for God, we should follow steadfastly in their way.

Former leaders have died, but Jesus Christ remains the same. The constancy of Jesus enables us to follow the faith of great Christian leaders. The lives of the former leaders declared memorably the changelessness of Christ. Both the readers of Hebrews and believers today have access to the power and example of the unchanging Christ. Because of his past and present work, Jesus Christ can meet our every need.

B. In contrast to the constancy of Christ was the parade of all kinds of strange teachings from human beings.

The reference to ceremonial foods suggests that some type of ritual observance was enticing these believers. God’s grace and not some tantalizing ritual provides a secure foundation for relating to God.

Christ’s work of yesterday was to suffer for our sins on the cross. His work of today is to serve as our High Priest. His future work is to return and conclude God’s saving purposes. Jesus never needs to be replaced, and his work needs nothing added to maintain its perfection.