In the final chapter of Hebrews, we find the writer putting a P.S. on his message. It is almost as if he had wrapped up his sermon and then decided to say one more thing. He begins by talking about how those who are Christians should love and show love to our Christian brothers and sister and to others.
Check out Hebrews 13: 1-3:
Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
I can almost hear him in verse one when he urges the church to love each other with phileo or brotherly love. Perhaps there had been some bickering in the church and he felt like he needed to remind the members of the body of Christ that they would be known by the love they have for one another.
How we treat our fellow Christians shouts loudly to an unbelieving world. If we cannot even love those who are supposed to be of the same blood, Christ’s blood, why would the unbelieving world want what we say we have? I wish it were not so, but all too often Christians are very quick to shoot down our brothers and sisters and very slow to come to their assistance. We must stop destroying our own.
Next the writer encourages the church to show love to strangers and prisoners. In ancient times, Christians were very cautious about both of these groups. One never knew if a stranger was a spy sent to discover a Christian church and persecute the believers. It was often dangerous to show hospitality to strangers, yet the writer called the church body to do it. Likewise, to affiliate with prisoners could cause one to be viewed as a criminal and perhaps arrested. This Christian life should rarely be about what we get out of it, but rather what we can pour into other’s lives, no matter the risks.
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13: 16 (NIV)
In verse 16 the author let’s the church know that he knows what he is asking is a sacrifice for many and perhaps even a danger. The encouragement comes in knowing that God knows the circumstances and is pleased with such sacrifices.
Consider John 13: 34-35 as it relates to our topic today:
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Love for brothers and sisters in Christ. Love for strangers. Love for the imprisoned. Do good and share.
How are you doing on these? Our faith must make a difference in how we treat other people. If it doesn’t, then it needs to be examined for genuineness. The lost world will know we are Christ’s followers by the way we treat others. Our words, our actions, our passions, our thoughts must all be informed by our faith in Jesus Christ. So, I ask you again, how are you doing on these?
MEDITATION MOMENT: How are you doing in the area of loving others? Is your faith showing? Is your faith making a difference in you? Please don’t give God Sunday school answers. Be honest with yourself and with God.
