Lessons many of us learned in preschool and kindergarten still apply—be nice, share, and show respect for each other. We live in a world that seems to have forgotten these relational basics.
Even the church—the people not the institution—needs some reminders. We need to be reminded of some basics that Jesus often taught.
We need to be reminded because the popular culture around us challenges and even mocks many of the basics Jesus taught about relationships, including marriage, and even money.
The church needs to engage the culture its embedded in with a consistent life example that reflects the nature of Jesus. We don't need to fight against the culture nor embrace it. We need to be change agents within it by the example of our lives.
Scripture
Continue to love each other. Don’t forget to show hospitality to believers you don’t know. By doing this some believers have shown hospitality to angels without being aware of it.
Remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them. Remember those who are mistreated as if you were being mistreated. [vss 1-3]
Marriage is honorable in every way, so husbands and wives should be faithful to each other. God will judge those who commit sexual sins, especially those who commit adultery.
Don’t love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you.” (Deut 31:6, 8) So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can mortals do to me?” (Psa 118:6) [vss 4-6]
(Hebrews 13:1-6 GW) [Context– Hebrews 13]
Key phrase—
Be happy with what you have because God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you.”
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What does this first exhortation challenge believers to do? What are two other things we need to remember to do?
Who are we to show love and care for? How are all three of these exhortations related?
What is to be honored and what warning goes with this exhortation?
What are we to keep our lives free from? Why? How are we to do this?
Reflection...
Fear and worry are sure signs of a lack of trust—genuine trust. All things in this life are temporary, but not Jesus—He's eternal.
So, if we say we trust in Him, we should know contentment and security. If not, it shows we don't really know the One in whom we say we trust.
We need the assurance of God's grace and presence in our lives in every way, each day. We need to be gracious to those around us. We also need to be faithful in our relationships, especially in marriage.
All Christian believers are called to be faithful to the Lord and what He calls us to do. We don't rely in our own faithfulness but His faithfulness for us and at work through us.
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Do you think believers love one another as the Lord loves us? Do you personally love others as the Lord loves you?
Do you see the church and yourself being faithful in relationships to others? If not, why not? How does that need to change in your own life?
In what ways do you show hospitality to others or reach out to those in prison or needing recovery in some way?
What do you fear most? What do you worry about most? How will you learn to trust God—who will never abandon or leave you—with your fears and worries?
©2017—Word-Strong
Here's a free introduction for the book of Hebrews— Intro to studying Hebrews