Hebrews 13
Hebrews 13:1-25
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.”
6 So we may boldly say: “THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?”
7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp.
12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.
23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.
24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Though we’ve been brought to a table that is outside the realm of the law, where transgression came with severe condemnation, there is apparently yet a need for insight as to what partaking of it will look like. We don’t get to create the menu by our own whims that we would label the “Spirit.” Jesus Christ is the same now as He has ever been and will ever be – holy, without compromise, and overflowing with eternal life. To be one with Him is to ever be experiencing transformation from the world’s image to that of Christ. As much as it will come by being led by the Spirit, there can be confidence that we’re actually hearing this voice as it aligns with the things Paul refers to here – walking in love, fidelity, freedom from idolatry, established in the doctrine of truth, and being honorable. This work that has begun in us is still in need of completion that comes from yielding to His invariable leading, something that, while unique to some extent in each of us, will always include identifying holiness in works of service to His body.
How great it is to humbly receive guidance in how the Spirit will lead and not be caught up in prideful assumptions that have great risk of falling. God loves a contrite and humble spirit over one that is caught up in its assumed ascension over others in understanding. For there to be forming in His likeness (an ongoing process) there is a need for softness of heart over the hardened veins of the elite.