Note for 20241129 - Hebrews - Part 13 - Brotherly Love

 

Hebrews - Part 13

Brotherly Love

Read Through The Bible

“As it Happened” Bible Reading Plan

Day 013

Job 35 -37

Hebrews 13

The Audio Version of today’s note

The House of Bread · Voice - Note for 20241129 - Hebrews - Part 13 - Brotherly Love

Hebrews 13:1-25 KJV

[1] Let brotherly love continue. [2] Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. [3] Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. [4] Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. [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. [6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear What man shall do unto me. [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. [8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. [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. [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. [14] For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. [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. [16] But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. [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. [18] Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. [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 for ever and ever. Amen. [22] And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. [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. Written to the Hebrews from Italy by Timothy.

https://bible.com/bible/1/heb.13.1-25.KJV

Note for 20241129

There is so much packed in here by the author, which we learn to be Timothy here at the end of the letter to the Hebrews. Considering that He was taught by Paul, he would have had access to more teaching than what we read in the Word alone. It is comforting to read that the heart should be established by grace, and not by meats, remembering always that we are saved by grace and not by our deeds. Good deeds is that which flows from the heart that was saved by grace, almost as a reply to the mercy of GOD in gratitude for all that He has performed to us-ward.

If there is something that I have noticed in life today, it is a lack of mercy and grace between the people. More so, as many are living in some form of separation from one another in a form of distrust. Thing is friends, it is not that we must trust a man in all our doings, but trust in GOD. If we walk forth in righteousness, it is the Lord that will hold us up and restore us. It is the Lord that will provide for us, though he may use a man in service, to bring forth such increase that we may need. So, in common language, it is not the trusting of a man when we give one a chance to prove himself, but our trust in God, that He will Keep us. Let each day then come anew. The past left in the past, and forgiveness applied where there is need for it. For we were all sinners once, who bared with us? What is patience then, if it cannot be exercised in the Love of GOD. Remembering always, that GOD is not forceful, but permits each one to make his own choice, patiently waiting in the hope that all will come to repentance and receive the reward of life everlasting in Jesus Christ.

In this chapter, there is one thing that stands out more to me than the rest, though all is equal. That is verse 2, not to be forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. I am reminded of when Abraham entertained the angels that were on route to Sodom to destroy it. They came in the form of men, they sat down with him and ate meat with him. The question that exists in me is how do we treat those we do not know? Could you live it down if you were unkind to a servant sent from heaven? In our Christian faith we are taught not to have a respect for a person, which makes me believe that Abraham would have entertained all that find him like that, the very same way. Of heaven or of earth, our conduct must be the same in our faith in the One and True God of all Creation. More so by us, that have been blessed by the Sacrifice of Christ upon the cross.

In this world of obscurity, in its fallen state engulfed in iniquity, it is the stable heart that trusts in GOD that can be most effective to convince the fallen to repent before the Lord our GOD. For we have a testimony of Christ in us, our very own story of how we were saved. If nothing, then, is coincidence but ordained by GOD, who then comes to us, is in need of our testimony, even if it is just watering a plant. For some sow, some water and then there are those that harvest. Each of us then does what we must unto the salvation of mankind, even in our prayers of intercessions. If then the body of Christ, then must we do the works of Christ. For even Christ Himself said, we would do greater things even than what He did. The question thus is whether we stand ready and right on duty for the Kingdom of GOD. Remembering the compassion of Christ, especially for the afflicted. One of the most impactful verses for me in the New Testament is this, "Jesus wept." This as He witnessed the mourning of those who wept for Lazarus.

You know, we have to view this world through a filter of compassion, remembering that so many still stand in an ignorance of the Salvation available to them in Jesus Christ. How will the sinner repent, if no one saved is willing to speak to him? It is he whose soul is in jeopardy that is in the greatest need? It is my viewpoint, and I believe it to be scripture based, that there is a great need for an attitude adjustment in the modern church. The problem then may be just in the fact that we view it as modern, when the old was more established in the righteousness preached by the early fathers of the faith. Those that stood in the witness of all that Christ has done. Surely they were closer to the Source of our righteousness. And though I cannot always understand at the time, why the need of some kind of handling is prescribed by Christ, I can surely trust it if it is of Christ, not? Therefore, it is needful that we measure our walk by the walk of Christ, who Himself is the Way unto Salvation. So, if a head must be covered, or a service be done, or of fasting and holding one's peace for the sake of peace itself, let it then be as prescribed by Him we believe in. For if not that, what has our faith become? Thus my push to remind you always, to read the Word of GOD for yourself. If there is then need of understanding, pray the Lord for it in the Name of Jesus Christ, for that is trustworthy. Man has brought in his own doctrines and unawares some strange men have come in, mingling the gospel of peace with the doctrines of devils that stand in a carnal mind. Is it not advisable to go to The Source of the Word of GOD? We are to Trust God, trust His Word; not the mere interpretations of mankind. The Lord will save us, if our trust is in Him. So who then do we follow, Christ or a fellow servant? The Word of GOD was given to us, and by it we can settle disputes; but know this first, that  which brings division amongst us is not of GOD. So, in division expect the enemy to be at the source of that. Do not stand in pride then, but submit to the Word of GOD in repentance when fault is found in you. That is a correction and a merciful one at that.

May GOD be with you, the Father of our Lord and Savior, and may Christ be with you also, as the Holy Spirit comforts you. Remember, it is not a bad thing to have a viewpoint that is contrary to this world. It is, however, not an approved thing, if it brings division within the church. Pray for one another, bear one another's burdens, lighten the load, encourage and edify one another in all hope unto salvation and redemption. Diligently working together towards a form of godliness on a righteous walk, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature. For to such were we called by Christ Himself, Honor Him in word and deed.

Shalom

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Matthew 22:37-39 KJV

[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.22.37-39.KJV