Hebrews 13:1-6

Continue Doing Right

Let brotherly love continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.  Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.  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.”  So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;
    I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

No matter what kind of pressure you are under – ordinary temptation, intrusive persecution, emotional pressure from family, or false teaching – there are simple teachings of Christ we must continue. These cannot be suspended, compromised or ignored – no matter what our life circumstance might be.

We must continue to love one another. As we have opportunity, we may need to take people in who need a place to say. Prisoners need the gospel and need our companionship and encouragement. And, “marriage” must be “held in honor among all,” no matter how culture defies its’ sanctity. One reason is, “God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Culture cannot change this. Media can celebrate immorality on the screen. BUT that doesn’t change the tragedy of sexual immorality, nor does it dismiss the sanctity of marriage.

Instead of coveting, this passage calls upon us to trust in God, who has said to us: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I want to stress, no matter what the Christian’s life circumstance – however hard or easy, however painful or comfortable – these are simple teachings of Christ, never to be given up or neglected. And, as we faithfully engage in these, we can say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear, what can man do to me.”