THINK AHEAD, BUT DON’T FORGET!
HEBREWS 13:1-25
It is wrong for Christians to obsess about the past. The Apostle Paul gave us the phrase "forgetting those things which are behind." But this passage underscores certain behaviors we must strive to live out all the days of our lives:
SO, REMEMBER TO….
1. KEEP PRACTICING CHARITY TOWARD BROTHERS IN CHRIST (Hebrews 13:1)
“Let brotherly love continue.” (This is a 'thinking' kind of love that considers the well being of others and takes beneficial action toward them, according to truth.)
2. KEEP EXTENDING HOSPITALITY TOWARD STRANGERS (v 2)
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (We live in a fearful and wary age. Wisdom considers this realistically and exercises care. But, nevertheless, a 'thinking' kind of helpfulness and goodness should not be neglected.)
3. KEEP EXPRESSING EMPATHY TOWARD THE SUFFERING (v 3)
“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” (Empathy is two hearts tugging at the same load. "Empathy is your pain in my heart.")
4. KEEP RESISTING IMMORALITY IN MATTERS SEXUAL (v 4)
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (Many deem marriage unimportant. God talks about it as an important covenant relationship. It entails uncompromising commitment. Proverbs 2:17.)
5. KEEP LIVING CONTENTEDLY IN LIFE (vv 5,6)
“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. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” ("Covetousness is a dry drunkenness." Proverbs says that the human eye is never satisfied.)
6. KEEP BEHAVING SUBMISSIVELY TOWARD LEADERSHIP (vv 7.17)
“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” (v7)
“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.” (v17)
(In 1859 multitudes accepted Darwin's theory of evolution, thereby rejecting the authority of God's Word. It's been downhill ever since rejecting not only Bible's authority but all other authorities too. Acts 5:29 is how the early believers retained respect for civil authorities and absolute submission to God's authority.)
7. KEEP TRUE DOCTRINALLY, IN THE FAITH (vv 8,9)
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.” (When steadfastness to the truth is most difficult it is most necessary.)
8. KEEP PRAYING INTERCESSIONALY FOR OTHERS (vv 18,19)
“Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.” ("Talking to men about God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still.")
- Dick Christen
