10. JESUS LIKENESS NEEDS LIVING OUT DEVOTEDLY (Hebrews 13:1-25)

Relationship to Jesus by faith will show itself in practical behaviour; people who would not listen to our doctrine will be affected by our devotion.

10.1. BE LOVING (Hebrews 13:1-3)

Hebrews 13:1 "Let brotherly love continue." (KJV)

Jesus urges us to keep His new commandment (John 13:34-35 ). Read carefully 1 John 4:7-21. It describes the kind of love Christians are to have for one another. Like no other way his love is a powerful testimony to the world of the reality of the Christian message. Brotherly love is the strengthening and unifying force to those who are undergoing persecution for the faith.

Hebrews 13:2 "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." (NKJV)

Entertaining strangers in the New Testament sense meant receiving and giving hospitality to Christians who frequently travelled from place to place - many of whom were unknown to those who entertained them. One of the rewards for such hospitality was entertaining angels unwittingly (Genesis 18 and 19 ). Or the reward could be our unusual need met by having a channel of God's blessing staying with us, like Elijah (1 Kings 17:9-24 ). Hospitality is a mark of Christian maturity (Titus 1:8; 1 Timothy 5:10 ) In ministering to Christ's own we minister to Him (Matthew 25:35,38-40 ).

Hebrews 13:3 "Remember the prisoners as if chained with them; those who are mistreated; since you yourselves are in the body also." (NKJV)

The loving empathy of Jesus is assured us. He knows what it is like to be tempted, and can help us. (Hebrews 2:18 TLB)

We should be particularly sensitive to the suffering of God's servants, and ask God to use us to help them. A spur to sympathetic action is remembering that we are liable to the same adversity and bodily affliction (Hebrews 13:3 ).

10.2. BE CONTENT (Hebrews 13:4-6)

Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have ..." (NKJV)

The Lord Jesus makes a gift of His own peace to all who are willing to receive it. There can be no real contentment without experiencing His peace.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth ..." (KJV)

(See John 14:27 TLB)

The destructive force of covetousness that breeds discontent shows itself in wilful dishonour of marriage, and sexual immorality(Hebrews 13:4-5 ). All self-gratification that defiles and defrauds another, God will judge. We are protected from covetousness by our devotion to Jesus, allowing no rival to His Lordship (Matthew 6:24 ). Having your eyes on God as the faithful supplier of all your needs will keep you a recipient of the heart and mind contentment and peace of Jesus. Contentment is assured by the certain promise that God will never forsake us, and will always be the willing, available, powerful Helper. We have everything it really takes to make life rich, full and satisfying.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Why would you say that being hospitable is a mark of maturity, and what rewards can be expected (Hebrews 13:2 )?

2. Why should you be particularly sensitive to the sufferings of God's servants (Hebrews 13:3 )?

3. How can you be protected from the destructive force of covetousness (Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:11 )?