May we be content with God and in God!
The writer of Hebrews proposes some practical counsel and wisdom for the Hebrew believers and for all who are believers in Jesus Christ – “Let love of the brothers continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you yourselves also are in the body. Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled, for the sexually immoral and adulterers God will judge. Make sure your way of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, what will man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13: 1-6)
Love between believers was encouraged. Paul taught in Romans – “Let love by without hypocrisy – by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good, being devoted to one another in brotherly love, giving preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, persevering in affliction, being devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality.” (Romans 12: 9-13)
Paul taught the Thessalonians about brotherly love – “Now concerning love of the brothers, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, for indeed you do practice it toward all the brothers who are in Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will walk properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 9-12)
The Hebrews were encouraged to ‘entertain strangers.’ As believers we are to be hospitable. In the early days of the church many believers lost their homes because of persecution. They often needed a place to stay. Traveling ministers also needed places to stay. In countries where Christians are being persecuted today, it is as it was in the early church. To be hospitable is a way we share in each other’s sufferings.
They were to remember those who had been sent to prison for their faith in Jesus. Believers should visit them and take care of their needs. If we are ‘in’ Christ, in His spiritual body of believers, we are all in the body together and should share each other’s burdens. Paul could relate to this as he was often imprisoned for his proclamation of the gospel. Paul spoke the following about Onesiphorus in his second letter to Timothy – “The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me – the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day – and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.” (2 Timothy 1: 16-18)
As believers we are to honor marriage. We are to remain sexually pure. Sexual relations are only for men and women who are married. Marriage is only between one man and one woman. There are serious consequences for sexual immorality. A believer may not lose their salvation if they fall into this sin, however there will be serious consequences. We see this in David’s life. His sin of adultery and murder resulted in terrible consequences for himself and his entire family.
The writer of Hebrews warned of the love of money. Paul taught in his first letter to Timothy – “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils, and some by aspiring to it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6: 10)
Jesus taught the following – “And someone from the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ But he said to him, ‘Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?’ Then He said to them, ‘Watch out and be on your guard against every form of greed, for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.’ And He told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come: take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you prepared?’ So is the one who stores up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12: 13-21)
As believers we need to be content with what we have. We need to realize and remember that God has said that He will never leave us or forsake us. He is our provider. The material things we have in this life cannot satisfy our hearts! Only our relationship with God can do this.
An encouraging Psalm is Psalm 118: 6 – “Yahweh is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?”
If we have been spiritually born through faith in what Jesus has done for us, His Holy Spirit indwells us. Although we may grieve His Spirit by our disobedience, He will never leave or forsake us. We need not be afraid of what man can do to us. God has got us. He is completely sovereign and in control of our lives. He wants us to trust Him and rest in Him.
We learn from Isaiah – “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not dread; for Yah – Yahweh Himself – is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12: 2)
If we have become His temple, because today He dwells in the hearts of believers all over the world, do we not realize that He will take care of His dwelling places. He is able, and He will.
Paul taught the Romans these comforting words – “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction, or turmoil, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, ‘For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were counted as sheep for the slaughter.’ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 31-39)
