Hebrews 13 – Warnings and Requests & How Fit is Your Faith?

Finger Pointing UpThis is the last chapter of the Book of Hebrews.  I hope it has helped your strengthen in your faith, I know that creating this site certainly strengthens the relationship I have with Jesus.

Tomorrow we will being with…

Hebrews 13
Warnings and Requests

1 Let brotherly love continue.

1 132 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

That means exactly as it says.

3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

This means “anything” that a husband and wife do in the bedroom is sacred and honored by God, “IF” it is done through love. 

It does not mean that a husband can force his wife to have sex just because they are married.

For example, last I knew, in the State of Washington if a husband forced his wife to have sex he could not be charged with rape because that is his wife. 

2 12What do you expect though, it is such a liberal state, but God is not a liberal and it don’t wash well with Him.

5 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.

Don’t be greedy, be content with what God allows you to have because He can take it all away and know that there are many others that have much less than you do. 

Don’t look at what you don’t have, look at what others don’t have and how you may be able to help them.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

7 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.

3 128 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

God does not change, see Rev 1:8, 18; 22:12-13.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Don’t listen to anyone that says anything that is not in the Bible, such as Oprah, Rick Warren, Obama, etc.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

“Jesus also…suffered without the gate” – Christ’s death outside Jerusalem represented the removal of sin, as had the removal of the bodies of sacrificial animals outside the camp of Israel.

4 1513 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 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.

We are to obey all laws made by our country, as long as they do not go against God.  Obey God before you obey man.

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

5 13
two mountain biker silhouette in sunrise with reflection

19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

How Fit is Your Faith?

Do you need a spiritual check-up?

6 1If you sense something might be wrong in your spiritual life, perhaps it’s time to examine your Christian walk. Here are 12 signs to show if you are walking with Jesus or not.

I found this information with About.com Christianity, but I don’t agree with #5, #8 is vague and can me dangerous, and #9 gives an opinion the way a politician answers a question.

The scriptures that come from me, and end my comments, not from this site, have a line under it.

1. Your faith is based on a relationship with God, not religious obligations and rituals. You follow Christ because you want to, not because you have to.

Your relationship with Jesus flows naturally out of love. It is not forced or driven by guilt.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath see, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also” (1 Jn 4:18-21).

7 11“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

And having a high priest over the house of God;

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb 10:19-22).

2. Your sense of security and significance is centered on God and who you are in Christ, not on others or your accomplishments.

“For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you that it was not in vain:

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ” (1 Thess 2:1-6).

8 9“Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Eph 6:6-7).

3. Your faith in God is strengthened as you walk through life’s troubles, trials and painful experiences, not weakened or destroyed.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Pet 4:12-13).

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (Jas 1:2-4).

4. Your service to others flows out of genuine love and concern for them, not from compulsion or a need to be recognized. You offer your service as a joy and a pleasure and not an obligation or a heavy burden.9 8

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:8-10).

Eph 6:6-7 – see under #2.

“To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues” (Rom 12:10).

5. You value and respect the unique differences and individual gifts of your brothers and sisters in Christ, rather than expecting conformity to one Christian standard. You appreciate and celebrate others’ gifts.

10 5This is wrong because it includes the beliefs of anyone that believes that Jesus existed, which would also include Catholics. There is conformity with God, with Jesus.  

There is only one Jesus and He doesn’t change.  Yet, do know that I do not believe anyone has the same personal relationship with Jesus that someone else has.  But still, there is only one Jesus Christ.

Oprah agrees that there is only one Jesus, but she preaches that you don’t need Jesus to get to heaven, and He says otherwise.  Therefore, we cannot “value and respect the unique differences” of their opinion.  There is only one is a standard, a conformity.

“…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn 14:6).

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12 56. You are able to give and receive trust and allow others to see you—and themselves—in a state of vulnerability and imperfection. You allow yourself and others the freedom to make mistakes.

I say yes to the above because God doesn’t want us to be robots, but to enjoy life as we are.  But these mistakes cannot be due to willful sinning.  Willful sinning is not a mistake, God will always help us out in not sinning if we ask:

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13).

As I said, if you willfully sin it is not a mistake and you will pay the price:

“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Heb 10:26-27).

11 4If you willfully sin you are trying to play or manipulate God and as you see that is not a wise move:

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal 6:7-8).

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“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren be pitiful, be courteous” (1 Pet 3:8).

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Eph 4:2).

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.14 4

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

13For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

I thank my God; I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

16 3Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

15But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

If anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.17 2

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Let all things be done decently and in order” (Rom 14).

7. You can relate to real, everyday people with a non-judgmental, non-legalistic attitude.

This basically pertains to other believers.  That does not mean that you can go any ridicule non-believers, what I mean if someone is degrading Jesus Christ don’t sit there like a stump on a log, speak your peace.

Rom 14 – see under #6.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matt 7:1).

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Lk 6:37).

19 18. You thrive in an atmosphere of learning, where free thinking is encouraged. Questions and doubts are normal.

This is extremely vague and can lead people to the New Age.  God does not encourage “free thinking” when it has anything to do with Jesus or living our lives away from or even partially away from Him.

9. You prefer balance over black and white extremes in your approach to the Bible, its teachings and the Christian life.

This, like #8 can be misleading.

10. You do not feel threatened or defensive when others hold to a different opinion or perspective. You can agree to disagree, even with other Christians.  

This is how it should be, as long as these other opinions or perspectives believe in the virgin birth, Jesus’ crucifixion and His resurrection.18 1

“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies. And contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain” (Tit 3:9).

“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

20 2But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

21 1And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Cor 12:12-25).  

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

24 1Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (1 Cor 1:10-17)

11. You are not afraid of emotional expressions from yourself and others. Emotions are not bad, they just are.

I don’t see anything wrong here, but I don’t see the correlation between your expressions and the strength of your faith.

But since we’re talking about emotions, never try and understand what or why God does something through your or anyone’s emotions/feelings.

“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil” (Joel 2:12-13).

23 1“O clap your hands, all ye p; shout unto God with the voice of triumph” (Ps 47:1).

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise” (Ps 98:4).  

“For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor 9:12-15)

12. You have the ability to relax and have fun. You can laugh at yourself and at life.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

25 1A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecc 3:1-4).

“Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun” (8:15).

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Prov 17:22).

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh 8:10).

…the Book of James.

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