Let the family continue to care for one another. Don't forget to be hospitable; by that means, some people have entertained angels without realizing it. Remember people in prison, as though you were in prison with them. when you think of people who are having a difficult time, remember too that you live in a frail body.
Let marriage be honored by everyone; let the marriage bed remain undefiled. God will judge those who sleep around or commit adultery.
Keep your life free from love of money; be content with what you have. He himself has said, after all, 'I will never, ever, leave you or forsake you.' That's why we can be cheerfully confident, and say , 'The Lord is helping me; I'm not going to be afraid; what can anyone do to me?'
Remember your leaders, who spoke God's word to you. Look carefully at how their lives came to complete fruition, and imitate their faith. Jesus the Messiah is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
The author of Hebrews has taken us on a fantastic journey in seeking the Messiah from the days of the old covenant, through the leaders and hero's of the faith, to the present outworking of this new and fragile body and sent our hopes for justice and peace and shalom into a frenzied bit of undeniable rest in His plans, His arms.
As we enter the last chapter we have come to see Jesus is his eternal glory and if we have been so blessed to have taken that road directly to the Father who is full of mercy and faithfulness and justice.
So how then shall we live? This is a hope and trust that manifests itself, this is the Word made flesh. Here. Now. Today. Care for one another. You can't get much more other-worldly than that simple command. Show hospitality always...look what happened to Abraham in Genesis 18, that could happen to you.
Get rid of the romanticism, this is a hard road. Abel suffered and was vindicated, Moses suffered and was vindicated, the prophets suffered and were vindicated, Jesus suffered and was vindicated, the church can and should expect to suffer at the hands of the world. We are now called to a higher standard, empowered by the Holy Spirit to love them in return.
Certainly don't forget your brothers and sisters in prison for their faith and we can even extend this to so many suffering in prisons today for all sorts of reasons that are the result of living in a fallen, but redeemed world. If we've adjusted our lenses enough to have a biblical view of who Jesus is and what he is about, the Father' business then we ought to be able to see that self-giving self-sacrificing love is at the core of what it is to be image bearers, individually and corporately. Care for the weak, they are part of your own body, honor marriage, do not get caught up in the love of money, or sex or power. These above all things are areas where Christians are called to be separate from "the world". The abuse of things created to be good gifts is deadly on multiple levels. When used in improper context these are some of the most deadly idols and carry with them judgments. When something is taken out of context, it is abused and that abuse has short and long term consequences that affect not only individuals, but whole communities. Praise God He heals, but better to be on guard in the first place.
Look at the Christians you know who fully trust God and depend on Him for everything. The Christians whose faith has them both resting and hastening the day of redemption through compassion and self giving love. Look to them and imitate their faith. It is these people who's hope and faith is firm who will be least likely to find themselves enslaved to would be gifts, but rather show themselves to be sons ad daughters of the Most High God. It is that faith that helps them to defend themselves and those around them against evil in its many forms. It is that kind of faith that is to be celebrated with thanksgiving to the Father.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Jesus the Messiah is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Messiah didn't just happen at one point in history, He happens, He is. Glory be to the God who was and is and is to come
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