Hebrews 13 - Is Your Life Worth Imitating?

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13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by strange teachings. 

As a pastor, thougb I am not perfect and still struggle like everybody else with my sinful nature, I am called to live a life whic is "above reproach". In the concluding chapter of Hebrews, the author gives various practical admonitions on how to live out the Christian faith, in light of all the doctrine he has taught in the first 12 chapters. 

If the author teaches the Hebrews to "Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you, and imitate their way of life and faith", Leaders need to live lives worthy of imitation, but in a sense we are all called to live this way. This is not a prideful thing, but the reality of those who teach being held to a higher standard. James teaches this in James 3:1 when he writes,  

"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly"

There are many other ethical guidelines and admonitions for the Jewish believers. They should love one another as thy would love their family. The church is a family, and that's why we call each other, "brother or sister". Though many families are dysfunctional, we should try to love one another as Christ loves us, unconditionally. We need the Holy Spirit's help to do this. No church is perfect for sure but we should be growing to be more like this. 

We are to show hospitality to strangers. These would be people outside the family of God that we are hoping to reach for Christ. Hospitality usually means "opening up your home" to welcome others. Of course, this would require a developing relationship with this person. This is why it is important to develop relationships with those outside the church, and not ONLY be involved in church activities. This is important the author says we might be "entertaining angels". How cool is that?

Paul says our marraiges should be pure, which means free of adultery, or sex outside of marriage. God will judge those who cheat on their spouse, or indulge in other forms of sexual immorality. This could mean chronic use of pornograry, homosexual relations, and other perverse behaviors. I realize homosexuality is a "hot button" topic and homosexuality should be considered no worse than any other sin, but I don't see anything in God's Word which endorses, or gives a positive proscription for sexual relations ouside of the covenant of marriage between a man and woman. I realize that some, even Christians, may see me as very judgemental on this issue,  but I can't justify this behavior if I use the Word of God as my guide for all matters in life. 

The author also says to keep our lives "free from the love of money". Notice, like other passages in the bible, it doesn't condemn making money or being wealthy, but the key is not falling in love with money. Money and possessions can easily become our god, but we know we can't take anything with us. 

Finally, the author warns against being "carried away by strange teachings". 

What does he mean by strange teachings? 

The immediate context would dictate this would be rules and regulations derived from the Jewish laws about eating restrictions or other ceremonies and rituals. Since he is writing to Jewish believers, some people took the law of Moses and applied to all kinds of other weird rituals, which were not based on the grace we have received in Christ through his once and for all sacrifice on the cross. 

The author concludes with this very important promise, which is principle by which all of these admonitions are to be obeyed. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Though our culture may change around us. Worldy philosphies ensnare naive Christians. Jesus will never change. Specifically the fact that we are saved by grace based on faith in Him will never change. We must always beware of others who teach "legalism", which is based on works not faith. If there is anything we could do to earn salvation, Jesus would not have had to die for us. 

What in this passage applies to your own life? As we apply these truths, we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. John 8:32

Jesus. thank you that you never change, and your promises never change. Help us to remember we are saved by faith not works. At the same time we are called to a holy life which glorifies you in all we do. May we all lead such lives that not only glorify you, but also live a life that others might imitate. Amen.