Living Out the Call of Hebrews
I am glad that the writer of Hebrews didn’t end the book with chapter 12. There is certainly nothing wrong with anything that was said in the chapter, but the last verse can be a bit startling: “For our God is a consuming fire.” That’s probably not the song to sing to the kids when you put them to sleep tonight! I am not arguing the author’s point—we should have a great respect and awe of God, both his glory and his power—but sometimes we also need reminders of how we are to act because of who God is and because of what he has done for us.
When we turn the page to chapter 13, we might take a breath and find some relief that we have specific actions we can take as followers of Christ. The first thing we are told to do is to keep loving each other as family. “Let brotherly love continue” is our assignment. No matter how difficult things might be in our lives and in the world, we are to continue to love each other. Love strengthens us, softens hearts, forms community, and will transform the world. Jesus said, “By this will all people know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.”
Hebrews reminds us that while loving each other in the family of God is a command from God, we are also to pay attention to strangers: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.” Sometimes we probably need a reminder that showing hospitality doesn’t require fancy china and dinner parties at our homes, though there isn’t anything wrong with that. Hospitality is a welcoming spirit, a cup of coffee, a kind word, and a warm hug. Hebrews says that when we show kindness to outsiders, we might just be entertaining angels.
Sometimes when we are struggling with hard things and tough assignments, we forget the basics. Hebrews 13 gives us the basics we can do, regardless of what is going on around us.
Remember those in prison and those who are mistreated.
Honor your marriage.
Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have.
We can do all of these basic acts of love because we know that God will never abandon us and is our helper in every aspect of life.
Like me, some of you may be thinking about the next chapter. Not the next chapter of scripture you will read but rather the next chapter in terms of what God wants you to do next. For me, my retirement date is set for June 30, 2025. However, I am confident that as long as I can breath and think, God does not want me to quit serving. Of course, I will continue to serve where I am asked at Point University, but I fully believe that God will have other things for me to do as well. God calls all of us to continue to serve others as we complete our journeys on this side of eternity.
What I am sure of is that however much time we have in this chapter of our lives, and whatever assignment God might give us in the next chapter of our lives, the words of Hebrews 13 are to be lived out through both chapters!
Father, thank you for calling us to yourself and to our current assignments. Whether you want us to remain at our current post or move to another, help us to always be faithful in loving others, showing hospitality, and caring for those who are in difficult situations. Help us to remember that faithfulness to our family and the avoidance of falling in love with the things of this world are part of our discipleship. Thank you that in every chapter of life you promise to walk with us and never forsake us. Thank you for being our constant helper. Today we choose to act in faith and not be controlled by fear. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Hebrews 13:1-6 ESV
Photo by Joshua Newton on Unsplash
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