David Bahn – Reflections

Hebrews 13:1-6

Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ³ Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. ⁴ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. ⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we can confidently say,

The foundation of our Christian faith is the testimony of the Old and New Testaments about Jesus Christ. For 11 chapters the writer to the Hebrews has proven the preeminence of Christ: greater than angels, the completion of all sacrifices, the perfection of faith. Now comes a series of imperatives about loving one another, showing hospitality, remembering those who suffer, honoring marriage, and the danger of the love of money.

While some may take these and other commandments in the Bible as the most important part of the faith, the fact is that the foundation of our faith is most important. These are manifestations of faithfulness on the part of those who believe in Christ. These actions and attitudes are the most visible to the world.

You may build the most beautiful building in the world. But if it has a faulty foundation its beauty will be fleeting; it will eventually give way. But if you never build a building on the very best of foundations what good is that?

We have the foundation of Christ. We have the promises of God. We have the redemption from our sins. We have the examples of the heroes of faith. We must build! The foundation is most essential. But the building of a life of faithful love, obedience, and outward expression is the most visible. By obeying these commands we show the world that the foundation of our faith is solid. That’s what we do once the foundation is laid.

Hebrews 13:1-16

Let brotherly love continue. ² Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ³ Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. ⁴ Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. ⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we can confidently say,

⁷ Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ⁹ Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. ¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹² So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.¹³ Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. ¹⁴ For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. ¹⁵ Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. ¹⁶ Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.