20121202
We have taken almost all of 2012 to go through the book of Hebrews although the writer says it is a “short letter” (Heb. 13:22). In the earlier chapters, he explained the doctrinal truths and now he closes with practical teaching for all believers.
He exhorts his readers to keep on loving each other. As Christians, they no doubt had been rejected by family and friends. However, for Christians, the deepest kind of fellowship is not based on race or family relationships but based on the community life we have in our Lord Jesus. Our fellowship is based on our love for Jesus and for one another in the Christian Community – “See how they love one another”. Love for God’s people is the hallmark of a true believer in Jesus (Jn. 13:35). Christians can expect rejection by the world (Jn. 15:17–27) and will need the mutual love of each other for encouragement and strength. Love also expresses itself in concern (Heb. 13:3). It was not unusual for the Hebrew Christians to be arrested and imprisoned for their faith. To identify with these prisoners may be dangerous but Jesus’ love demanded a ministry to them. In Singapore we are not arrested for our belief in Jesus but in some parts of the world, Christians suffer for their faith. We need to pray for them and share with them as the Lord enables us!
Christian love is to be practised in the Church and ought to be seen first in the home and family. So the writer warns about sexual sins that can destroy marriage. These days marriage vows are taken very lightly even with Christians. We need to remember that God judges all immoral people, whether Christians or otherwise. The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian Christians: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers … will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11). He reminded them: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.”
The Christian witness of morality, strong marriages, hospitality, and brotherly love are as crucial today for us in BKC as in the early Church.
