 Pastor's Update
Hebrews 13.1-6 There is a lot of talk in our day about the need for ethics, but not very much is being done about it. The problem is that we are approaching the whole idea backwards. Our modern world has kicked the Bible aside as being irrelevant and out of date. They have set aside the only foundation for moral behavior, but yet they want ethics. We even have something today called “situational ethics” – but if one’s conduct is determined by the given situation then it is not an ethical code. Ethics cannot exist apart from a standard of right and wrong. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that there is a standard for conduct; the word of God. Public Ethics (Within the Church) Hebrews 13:1-3 •Love the Brethren (v. 1) Brotherly love is so important that John says in (1 John 3:14), “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” The presence of brotherly love is an inner witness of validity of our salvation. Jesus said that it was the presence of brotherly love that proved to the world that their faith was the real thing. John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” This is not a love based on personal liking, but one based on a shared relationship. •Love Strangers (Exercise Hospitality) Our first responsibility is to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but our responsibility does not end there. The word translated “entertain” in the NKJV is (philoxenias) or “love of strangers.” A stranger by definition is someone we do not know personally. The phrase rendered “for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” brings to mind a scene from the story of Abraham found in Genesis 18. Abraham entertained angels without knowing it when he welcomed the strangers to his tent. Does the writer mean that the Hebrew believers or today’s readers might expect a similar experience? Not necessarily. It’s not that hospitality should be given with the expectation of seeing an angel. We should remember that the word “angel” simply means messenger, so any messenger of God whether it be a visiting preacher or a missionary are to be received as His angels. The point of the second half of verse two seems to be that we will never know how important or far reaching a simple act of kindness may be. Verse three continues with “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” We are exhorted to remember those who are mistreated as though it were us. Personal Ethics (Within the Home) Hebrews 12:4-6 There is a two-fold application of ethics in the home. To even suggest that sexual sin comes under the judgment of God is to be branded as intolerant, if not guilty, of hate speech. But that is exactly what the writer of Hebrews says in verse four, “…but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” The fact remains that premarital sex, sodomy, prostitution, homosexual acts as well as adultery are all covered by the two terms translated “fornicators and adulterers.” The point to remember is that God views infidelity as serious and will allow the natural consequences of the pain, guilt and hurt take their toil in the lives of those who violate this command. The call to Christians is to demonstrate in their lives a radically different understanding and commitment to marriage. Christians are called to be outrageously pure. •Contentment in Material Things (Money) Matthew 6:19-21 © Copyright by Christian Civic League of Maine. All rights reserved. |