| Hebrews 13 1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have unknowingly entertained angels. 3 Remember those who are in chains, as though you are with them, and those who suffer adversity, since you are in the same body [of Christ with them]. 4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with those things you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." 6 So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man will do to me." 7 Remember those who have rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God.1 Consider the outcome of their conduct, and follow their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. 9 Do not be swayed with many and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing for the heart to be established by grace; not by ceremonial foods that have not profited those who have observed them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that he might sanctify the people with his own blood. 13 Let us then go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his shame, contempt, and abuse. 14 For we do not have a continuing city, but we seek one that is to come. 15 Therefore by him, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for God is well pleased with such sacrifices. 17 Obey those who have rule over you, and submit yourselves to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. Be submissive so that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, because that is unprofitable to you. 18 Pray for us, for we trust we have a good conscience, and are willing to live honestly in all things. 19 And I beg you to do this [pray], so that I may be restored to you all the sooner. 20 Now the God of peace, who 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 what is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.2 [A true Christian is crucified and purified by the grace of God, able to do God's will on earth as it is done in heaven; that is a true Christian's sole purpose: to pray, to speak, and to act as God directs, thus to bring pleasure, honor, and glory to God.] 22 And I beseech you, brothers, allow my word of exhortation, for I have written a letter to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; if he comes shortly, I will see you with him. 24 Salute all those who have rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy salute you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen. Previous Chapter | |||||||||
1 Remember those who have rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God. This is to hear words spoken by a mature Christian, whose words are supplied by the Holy Spirit. Today, there is no one to hear such words from. Hopefully, soon there will be many; as there was in the time of the Apostles church, and as there was in the 17th Century early Quakers. But alas! The cross is hard. And men are always looking for the easy way. False teachers arose in the early Church, even while the Apostles were alive; false teachers arose within the early Quakers, even while the founders were alive. But it is God's way, and the way of love, to not be a dictator, to not purge such people out; for love does not insist on its own way.
The cross is bearable, but not easy. It is not easy to lose your life. It is not easy to forsake everything. It is not easy to find the narrow gate to heaven, which many will try and be unable pass through. It is not easy to suffer. So any alternative to the cross, which supposedly allows one to escape Hell, is eagerly received; and false doctrines and lies have quickly become pervasive. (See Suffering and Tribulation for more on suffering.)
For the time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers after their own lusts, who will say what their itching ears want to hear;
And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and will be turned to fables [man made fictions]. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end? Jer 5:31
For many walk, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you weeping, who are the enemies of the cross of Christ;
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their stomach [appetites], and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things. Phil 3:18-19.
2 Make you perfect 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. NOTE! The reason God wants us to come to him to be made perfect is: so that we can live according to "thy will be done, on earth as it is is heaven;" so we can show the world the wisdom and love of God by works that are directed by him. When you have been delivered (freed) from the sins and evil in your heart, God's light will shine forth in your heart, to guide your thoughts, words, works.
Think about it. Only a perfect man can properly do works for God. To do works for God, a man has to be able to hear and see precisely how God wants the works done; he has to be able to speak only words supplied by God. Otherwise the works would not be perfectly done; and if works were done imperfectly, they would reflect poorly on God, making God appear unrighteous and imperfect. And so, no imperfect works are acceptable by God: Wake up and be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready to die. For I have not found your works perfect before God. Rev 3:2
But he who practices truth comes to the light, so that his deeds may be shown to have been produced [formed and powered] through God. John 3:21
Now the God of peace..Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you what is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, Heb 13:20-21
Even worldly corporations extensively train their representatives before letting them loose on the public to "represent" the company. And so God insists that he should teach and perfect his representatives, (disciple them himself), that "represent" him before sending them:
The disciple is not above his master, but everyone who is perfect [purified, restored to the spiritual image of God, specifically authorized, and perfected] will be like his master. Luke 6:40.
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