Hebrews Chapter 13

• Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

This is were many of us have trouble. What is brotherly love?

True love is the same kind of love that Christ has for us. It contains mercy, righteous judgment, kindness, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith.

Love like we would a brother. When we see one in need and have the means to help, love would not hold back. If one is taken in a fault, we would love enough to desire them to be restored to the right way that would be pleasing to God. On other hand love would overlook trivial things that have nothing to do with our salvation. Only when we see something that could genuinely harm a person's soul should we venture to use correction and then only with the spirit of meekness remembering our weakness in the flesh and that we also may be tempted to do the same thing or something equal to it or worse.

Love may cause us to grieve over the sin of our brethren but love would not cause us to rejoice over it or be glad that we caught someone in a fault. Love would not cause us to run to the telephone or social media to spread the person's fault for others to see. The other person we tell may not have love and do evil with the information rather than good. Love desires good for our brethren and not evil. Love would not desire vengeance.

Love our neighbor as ourselves. We desire our neighbor to have what we want ourselves to receive.

• Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

This verse always troubled me for we live in a world that to trust strangers may become a peril. So we can be kind to strangers in a safe way. Unless the holy spirit strongly directs otherwise, have others around when we show kindness to a stranger. A woman for instance does not invite a stranger into her home if she is alone. We could always pick up the phone and ask a neighbor to come over if someone desires entrance and is in need. There are ways to show kindness without putting ourselves in a compromising position. A minister can avoid being alone with a woman by taking his wife or another church member with him when he visits people. However, if we walk in the spirit, the Lord can direct us and we don't have to fear. If we are not walking daily in the spirit though we have to use wisdom. However, when we gather together to worship in our local assemblies, be careful to be kind to visitors and show them that they are welcome. Calling in authorities may be the safest thing to do if one is not sure what to do. Still to live and walk in the Spirit is best.

• Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Bear one another's burdens. If we know of someone who is in bondage because of the gospel's sake, we must pray for them and if possible offer help. We must not forget those that are in harm's way because they are out preaching the gospel.

• Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Sexual immorality will not only ruin our testimony before God, it will open ourselves up to disease. There is always a reason for God's commandments. Instead of doing what we want to do, why not search and ask ourselves why God makes the commandments He makes. I'm sure we will find it is not because He wants us to be miserable.

• Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

We are to let our conversation in the Lord be without covetousness. Covetousness is idolatry. God said that we are to have no other gods before Him. Our life is not to consist of "things". What we have, be thankful for and use them wisely. Not all are going to be rich in this world's goods. If we see the poor, do not condemn them. Some of us may have more than others but that does not mean that the "others" are without faith.

Be content with what we have and thankful. The teaching going about these days that assume the most prosperous preachers are blessed of God because they live in million dollar homes and are rich is false.

There are many rich billionaires in the world we live in. Some do not even believe in God. Some are evil and some are not so bad. Are we going to assume that God has blessed them because they hold his favor in some way? The rain may fall on the just and the unjust alike. We are to seek God, not seek the riches of this world. Appearances do not mean a thing. It is not outward possessions that show proof of success in the spirit, it is the fruits of a person's life. The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. I don't see riches in that list of the fruits of the spirit. We are to seek the things of the spirit and trust God to supply our needs according to His will.

• Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

We don't have to fear man if we walk in the spirit and rely on God for our help.

• Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Be careful with this verse. It is true and powerful but we must understand it properly. Some men like Jim Jones could pull this one out of context to justify his rule over his followers.

Remember those who have spiritual rule or head over our particular assembly anointed of God to preach the word. Remember the words, "To preach the word." It is up to us to discern, pray and study the word ourselves so that we can rightly discern whether or not they are preaching "the word."

Whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Consider their fruits. Consider how they live. Do they live what they preach? Do their lives back up someone anointed of God. If so, follow them as they follow Christ. The minute they stray, keep following Christ.

• Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

God does not change, we sometimes do.

• Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

This is why we must search the scriptures with prayer. Some get off into strange doctrines, some follow those that preach strange doctrines. God gave us this bible, His word in written form, down through the ages to keep us from error. It is our fault if we do not read it.

What are some strange doctrines?

There are many but I will name a few:

1. The prosperity doctrine - teaching that its God's will that we are to seek riches and use those riches to set up Christ's kingdom.
2. Dominion theology - Believing we are to set up Christ's kingdom ahead of time before He returns visibly Himself.
3. Replacement theology -saying the church replaces Israel.
4. Teaching that Christ has already returned by spiritualizing it.
5. Polygamy- having more than one wife or husband.
6. Clergy and laity- Having a clergy exalted above the laity. Heavy shepherding or making a clergyman so far above the congregation that he lords over them instead of being a servant to Christ.
7. Limiting the gifts of the spirit to only a chosen few instead of encouraging all to seek the Lord and be used of Him in some capacity. Take the example of Moses who desired that all would prophesy.
8. Having any other mediator between us and God other than Jesus Christ. Examples of these would be a priest, departed saints, Mary, idols or any other mediator.
9. A social gospel that neglects the individual salvation of the soul. This would be good works like feeding the poor without giving them the gospel. Our main emphasis should always be the gospel but never are we to neglect the poor if we have the means to help them.
10. Dual covenant theology- Teaching that the Jews are saved a different way than Gentiles. There is no other way of salvation but through faith in Jesus Christ.

• Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
• 11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
• 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
• 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

They that live godly in Christ will suffer reproach for following Him. We are to bear that reproach without complaint.

• Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

This is our main focus. We must seek that which is to come, being mindful of the eternal. When we stop following Christ and start seeking earthly possessions, we lose sight of the main goal. That goal is to bring as many as possible into the kingdom by preaching the gospel and waiting for the return of Jesus Christ.

The things of this life will pass away. If that is all we care about, we will have nothing in the long run.

• Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

It is good to praise the Lord continually whether out loud or in the depths of our heart. Being thankful for every good thing. Being grateful for our salvation and not take it lightly.

• Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Communicate the gospel, the word of God and all good things to encourage one another in the Lord.

• Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

I will quote John Wesley on this verse:

Obey them that have the rule over you - The word implies also, that lead or guide you; namely, in truth and holiness. And submit yourselves - Give up (not your conscience or judgment, but) your own will, in all things purely indifferent. For they watch over your souls - With all zeal and diligence, they guard and caution you against all danger. As they that must give account - To the great Shepherd, for every part of their behavior toward you. How vigilant then ought every pastor to be! How careful of every soul committed to his charge! That they may do this - Watch over you. With joy and not with groans - He is not a good shepherd, who does not either rejoice over them, or groan for them. The groans of other creatures are heard: how much more shall these come up in the ears of God ! Whoever answers this character of a Christian pastor may undoubtedly demand this obedience.

That is the end of John Wesley's quote.

We are not to obey evil rulers that depart from God's word. We cannot allow evil leaders to use this verse to cause us to follow their evil deeds.

• Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

We must live honestly and and in good conscience and pray for our leaders to do so also. If we find fault with our pastors, the first thing to do is pray diligently for them.

• Hebrews 13:19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
• 20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
• 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Through Jesus we are saved by His blood. We are to follow good works and seek the know the will of God.

Walk in the spirit that we not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Follow good things and avoid evil.

• Hebrews 13:22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

Receive correction if it is for good and after the word of God.

• Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
• 24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
• 25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Follow religious rulers as they follow Christ. If they depart from the scriptures, I don't believe that we are obligated to follow them.

• John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
• 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
• 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

The wonderful thing about God's word is that there are always other scriptures to explain or confirm those that we question or wonder about so that we understand them properly and in context. Some have taken isolated scriptures by themselves and get a whole different meaning than if we take them in the context they are written in.

• 3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

So we see from 3 John 1:11 that we do not have to obey them that have rule over us is they are not out for good and would rather lead us to do evil. I read somewhere that Adolf Hitler used the "obey them that have rule over you" scripture to get the church to follow him in his evil.  If this is true he used an isolated scripture out of context. We see from John that we do not follow leaders in evil. God is ruler over all and He must be first. 

• Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
• 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

We have to take the whole word of God in context and not just pick out a few verses to make a doctrine. Be careful is someone uses a few pet verses to get followers. Make sure all verses are in context and agrees with the rest of the word of God. False prophets will increase as the end draws closer. Pray for those for whom you may have doubts. DC