The Way - Day 160 (Hebrews 13)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Hebrews 13
This letter ends with a very practical section, which expresses how genuine faith will work itself out in daily life. After having spent most of the letter explaining the superiority of Jesus Christ to the Levitical system of worship and also providing examples of those who walked in faith, the writer of Hebrews provides some specific characteristics of those who truly believe. He begins by challenging his readers to "let brotherly love continue." In John 13:35, Jesus said that the identifying mark of someone who follows Him is that they have love for one another. Along with this thought, the writer urges them to "entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." Not only were they supposed to love those who were fellow believers, but also those who were still in their unbelief (13:2). Believers should "remember the prisoners" which represents those who were suffering persecution for their faith (13:3). Another mark of a believer is their view of marriage and any sexual activity outside of marriage would be judged...Christians were to keep themselves pure from sexual sin (13:4). Verses 5-6 instruct the follower of Christ to abstain from seeking after material things, but rather be satisfied in the presence of God, who will "never leave you nor forsake you." The writer also turns to some religious directions (13:7-17) to go along with the moral direction he has already given them in Hebrews 13:1-6. First, he reminds them to respect church leaders who rule, speak the Word of God, and provide a faithful example (13:7). Secondly, believers should closely guard the teachings of Scripture so they will not "be carried about with various and strange doctrines." The false doctrine that the writer was referring to were specifically those who followed the Levitical system of worship. This system was no longer needed because Jesus Christ had provided grace through His death on the cross (13:8-16). Lastly, the readers are instructed to "obey those who rule over you, and be submissive." The writer then closes his letter asking his readers to pray (13:18-19) and also with a blessing that the "God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight."
 
Dear God, help me to live a life of faith!