Heb 12-13
These two chapters in Hebrews seem like a condensed “how to” pamphlet on living a Christ like life. The author lists out quite a few things that will keep our faith alive and healthful if we follow them over a lifetime. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1, “Love each other as brothers and sisters.” Do you find yourself more willing to offer help to your siblings than to others in your life? If so, this is a beautiful way to orient our minds to love others. Thinking of others as “family” may soften our hearts to those around us and help us to dig a little deeper as we care for others.
2, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers.” I think busyness can kill hospitality faster than anything. Taking time to bring others into your home for a visit, a meal, or an overnight is deeply meaningful. It builds relationship, shows honor and makes others feel valuable.
3, “Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” The author phrases these reminders so well. If you put yourself in another person’s place and sit with their circumstances for a few minutes, it changes your perspective and helps you support and encourage people that need it.
4, “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage.” Do we honor marriage in our current culture the way we used to, say even 50 years ago? I feel like because our culture values marriage less than we used to, marriage is easier to slide into and out of. The author is crystal clear here about how we should think about marriage if we want to live like Christ.
5, “Don’t love money, be satisfied with what you have. For God says, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” When I want something that I don’t need, my thoughts almost never include the fact that God is all I really need. If I could change the way I think about “stuff/things” to factoring the gift of God’s presence into my equation, I would have a different outcome every time!
6, “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all of the good that has come from their lives. Also, obey your spiritual leaders. Their work is to watch over your souls and they are accountable to God.” A good reminder. Sometimes we get critical of our leaders or simply take them for granted. Remember to think of the good that has come from their lives.
7, “Offer, through Jesus, a continual sacrifice of praise to God and proclaim allegiance to His name.” “Continual” pops out to me this morning as I read through this guideline. When we follow God we all find or make specific times throughout our week for praising God. The more time I concentrate on who He is and praise Him for it, the more changed I am. What could my life be like if I could get to the place where I praised Him continually?
8, “Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” Simple and concise…it is clear what actions are Christ like. If you are characterized by sharing with those in need, I challenge you today to see if you can increase your sacrifice.
9, “Pray for others (and for ourselves) to live honorably in everything they/we do.” Living honorably in all I do is honestly not happening on this earth. I am human and broken and I won’t be “honorable in all” until I get to heaven, but I can pray for “honorable in more of what I do”. I also love the power of being able to pray this help into the lives of those I love.
I’ll leave you this morning with the author’s blessing from the end of chapter 13.
“Now may the God of peace-who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood-may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever!”