Seeing Christ Through The Lives Of Our Brothers And Sisters

“Brotherly love must continue. Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them, and those ill-treated as though you too felt their torment. Marriage must be honored among all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?” Hebrews 13:1-6 NET

Hebrews 13 powerfully underscores the importance of cherishing what we have been given and highlights our responsibility to appropriate it. We believers have been reborn and gifted with a transformative new heart and mind. It is imperative that we embrace this change and allow it to manifest in our daily lives.

The essence of receiving Christ into our hearts and minds lies in our willingness to align ourselves with this new identity. Everything Jesus achieved on the cross is ours, as we are His beloved children, equipped with all we need to live a life full of purpose and godliness. This profound truth reassures us that we are never alone on our journey. Ultimately, our desire is to undergo a comprehensive transformation that touches our spirit, soul, and body, enabling us to reflect the true nature of God from the eternal salvation bestowed upon us first in our spirits.

Another aspect of God's character is powerfully revealed through our interactions with others, driven by the transformative love of Christ that flows within us. His nature shines through our generous acts of hospitality towards those in need. This divine impartation is vital for our spiritual growth, allowing the character of Christ to profoundly shape our physical existence. As we wholeheartedly embrace His love and compassion, we experience a remarkable transformation, increasingly embodying His likeness in our daily actions and making Christ’s presence unmistakably evident in our lives.

Gathering with our brothers and sisters in faith invites powerful heavenly encounters that transform our experience. In these moments, Jesus is undeniably present among us, and we may be surrounded by angels who draw near, often without our even realizing it. These celestial beings are fascinated by Christ's presence as it manifests in us as we share His love and message with one another. There are even times when angels break through the spiritual barrier to reveal themselves to us as physical beings, often taking the form of fellow believers. Embracing these gatherings enriches our faith and opens our hearts to the extraordinary.

The passage calls us to actively remember those who are incarcerated—both physically and spiritually—as if we were sharing their confinement. It compels us to empathize with those who face mistreatment, engaging with their suffering as though we were experiencing it ourselves. This embodies a profound and compassionate care for others that reflects the transformative love of Christ.

Remembering those in prison challenges us, testing the depth of our faith. It invites us to be the hands and feet of Jesus, engaging in meaningful and redemptive acts of service for His people. We must courageously set aside our fears and preconceived notions about those behind bars. These men and women, though physically trapped, are a captive audience yearning for the true freedom that can only be found in Christ for their souls. We must courageously set aside our fears and preconceived notions about those behind bars. These men and women, though physically incapacitated, are a captive audience yearning for the true freedom for their souls that can only be found in Christ.

Marriage is also mentioned in the text as a sacred relationship where we are united with our spouse in the natural and spiritual realm; the man and woman becoming one flesh must be honored by all. It is the disintegration and disregard of the sanctity of marriage that leads to the moral decay of society, divorce, unfaithfulness—adultery, and perversion have historically been the downfall and destruction of many cultures throughout history. It is essentially about fidelity, honesty, and integrity in all of our relationships that the writer is angling for, the marriage relationship is only one aspect.

Contentment with our sources of income is a powerful theme highlighted in this concluding section of Hebrews. The writer urges us to reject prideful attitudes that can ensnare us into bondage. Our actions should boldly reflect our faith in a Savior who provides abundantly, reminding us that we are children of a King who delights in meeting our every need if we simply ask.

When we fixate exclusively on money as our means of support, we risk spiraling downward, distancing ourselves from the transformative mind of Christ. This narrow focus can blind us to the vast spiritual resources at our disposal. It is crucial that we bring our needs before Jesus, tapping into these heavenly provisions and appropriating them into our physical reality. Prayer is the essential key that unlocks this divine process, empowering us to live fully in the abundance that God has in store for us.

We have the steadfast promise of Jesus: “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.” In moments when we feel distant from God's promises, a heartfelt call to the Lord, especially in times of need, is always heard. He meets us at our point of greatest need, yet He is constantly present with us, abundantly providing for our needs. When we fail to recognize the blessings He has already given us, we slip into a pattern of pleading and begging for scraps instead of expressing gratitude for His generous provisions and celebrating our blessings.

This empowers us to boldly declare, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can people do to me?” Fear may attempt to seize our hearts and sow doubt about God's faithfulness. Yet, faith is a deliberate choice—an act of trusting in the unseen and believing in His unwavering promises that He will always meet us where we are. Letting go of fear and embracing faith can be challenging, but it is the place where He desires us to dwell, confidently trusting Him to be our protector and provider in every moment and in every circumstance.

Stephen Barnett