The Continuation of Christ's Love
"Let brotherly love continue...Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever... But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Heb. 13:1, 8, 15)
When we come to the cross of Christ, we may arrive weary, worn, and shame- ridden but once we humbly receive God's provision by faith, we are forever changed into a new creation in Christ and are now forgiven and set free to love and live the life that God intended for each of us.
We love Him because HE FIRST LOVED US...and THIS SAME LOVE within us OVERFLOWS IN ALL DIRECTIONS toward all people!
Since God is love and now dwells in us, we are called to be the continuation of Christ's love in every area of relationship in our lives. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews ends this Christ exalting epistle with some final exhortations on how to practically show love in our human relations from strangers, who may even be visiting angels at times, to those we know and do not know within the household of faith who are suffering differing degrees of persecution throughout the world.
The most important relationship that embodies the love of Christ is the marriage union, so we are exhorted to express all of our deepest passion and affection in the rightful place of the marriage bed and not with those that threaten our covenant of marriage or with those that we are not prepared to make vows with. This standard of holy commitment and covenant may not be popular or encouraged in our present culture but this is what is always honorable and pleasing to our Lord.
We all must realize that OUR CHOICES determine OUR CHARACTER and our character determines OUR CONDUCT and defines the quality, reliability, and CONDITION of our relationships.
Therefore, this means that our ministry and our marriage begins well before it officially starts since we are learning to say "Yes" to our future by saying "No" to our present temptations.
Furthermore, we are exhorted in this way, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have" (Heb. 13:5).
How do we live with such opportunities of present gain and future blessing?
When Paul wrote to his spiritual son Timothy, he encouraged him in similar manner, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. 6:6) This was not something that came natural to Paul or any human being. Paul had to learn this before he could teach this. He explains this when he says, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:11-13).
Thus, Christ's love teaches us how to get over ourselves and overcome our insufficiencies.
Everything in our world changes: Moods change… Times change… Seasons change... Jobs change… Culture, Technology, and Trends change... Friends and foes change… Desires and Dreams change… Life, Health, and Wealth changes.
But..."Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). This is why we anchor ourselves in Christ and adjust and align ourselves to whatever pleases Him and brings Him glory and honor. He is both our STANDARD and our SUFFICIENCY and ultimately the true SATISFACTION of our lives!
Every exhortation leads us to this one: "Therefore let us go forth to Him..." (Heb. 13:13). Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. It is interesting that Jesus suffered outside the city and the dead religious camp so that we can approach and dwell inside the veil. Thus, Christ Jesus CHANGES our position and EXCHANGES our old way of life from the OUTSIDE IN and from the INSIDE OUT.
OUTSIDE THE CAMP - We are called to leave the facade of this corrupt world and the falsehood of dead religion.
INSIDE THE VEIL - We are invited to draw near into His holy presence as we live out the heavenly reality on earth.
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" AND let us "do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Heb. 13:15-16).
We are living a worshipful and grateful life as we sincerely and fervently love Christ and the people around us, as we seek to do ALL His will for ALL His glory!
The FINAL BENEDICTION is given to us in Hebrews 13:20-21:
"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
This Week’s New Covenant Exhortation:
In light of all that Christ has done for us, LET US BE CONTENT with what we have while being INTENTIONAL TO DO GOOD TO ALL:
…Walking by FAITH
…Enduring in HOPE
…Continuing in CHRIST’S LOVE!
When we come to the cross of Christ, we may arrive weary, worn, and shame- ridden but once we humbly receive God's provision by faith, we are forever changed into a new creation in Christ and are now forgiven and set free to love and live the life that God intended for each of us.
We love Him because HE FIRST LOVED US...and THIS SAME LOVE within us OVERFLOWS IN ALL DIRECTIONS toward all people!
Since God is love and now dwells in us, we are called to be the continuation of Christ's love in every area of relationship in our lives. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews ends this Christ exalting epistle with some final exhortations on how to practically show love in our human relations from strangers, who may even be visiting angels at times, to those we know and do not know within the household of faith who are suffering differing degrees of persecution throughout the world.
The most important relationship that embodies the love of Christ is the marriage union, so we are exhorted to express all of our deepest passion and affection in the rightful place of the marriage bed and not with those that threaten our covenant of marriage or with those that we are not prepared to make vows with. This standard of holy commitment and covenant may not be popular or encouraged in our present culture but this is what is always honorable and pleasing to our Lord.
We all must realize that OUR CHOICES determine OUR CHARACTER and our character determines OUR CONDUCT and defines the quality, reliability, and CONDITION of our relationships.
Therefore, this means that our ministry and our marriage begins well before it officially starts since we are learning to say "Yes" to our future by saying "No" to our present temptations.
Furthermore, we are exhorted in this way, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have" (Heb. 13:5).
How do we live with such opportunities of present gain and future blessing?
When Paul wrote to his spiritual son Timothy, he encouraged him in similar manner, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. 6:6) This was not something that came natural to Paul or any human being. Paul had to learn this before he could teach this. He explains this when he says, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:11-13).
Thus, Christ's love teaches us how to get over ourselves and overcome our insufficiencies.
Everything in our world changes: Moods change… Times change… Seasons change... Jobs change… Culture, Technology, and Trends change... Friends and foes change… Desires and Dreams change… Life, Health, and Wealth changes.
But..."Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). This is why we anchor ourselves in Christ and adjust and align ourselves to whatever pleases Him and brings Him glory and honor. He is both our STANDARD and our SUFFICIENCY and ultimately the true SATISFACTION of our lives!
Every exhortation leads us to this one: "Therefore let us go forth to Him..." (Heb. 13:13). Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. It is interesting that Jesus suffered outside the city and the dead religious camp so that we can approach and dwell inside the veil. Thus, Christ Jesus CHANGES our position and EXCHANGES our old way of life from the OUTSIDE IN and from the INSIDE OUT.
OUTSIDE THE CAMP - We are called to leave the facade of this corrupt world and the falsehood of dead religion.
INSIDE THE VEIL - We are invited to draw near into His holy presence as we live out the heavenly reality on earth.
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" AND let us "do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Heb. 13:15-16).
We are living a worshipful and grateful life as we sincerely and fervently love Christ and the people around us, as we seek to do ALL His will for ALL His glory!
The FINAL BENEDICTION is given to us in Hebrews 13:20-21:
"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
This Week’s New Covenant Exhortation:
In light of all that Christ has done for us, LET US BE CONTENT with what we have while being INTENTIONAL TO DO GOOD TO ALL:
…Walking by FAITH
…Enduring in HOPE
…Continuing in CHRIST’S LOVE!
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