“Since You Yourselves Are in the Body Also” (Heb 13:1-9

“Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them––those who are mistreated––since you yourselves are in the body also.” (vs1-3)

If we know grace and have obtained mercy, then our response is to love each other, doing good to the saints, as sharing in the same sufferings and salvation (vs1-3). He says, “since you yourselves are in the body also”. Pity and love each other, for we're all in the battle, and we're family, the family of God.  Never think your relationship with God is private and not demonstrated by loving as commanded.

Secondly, we have God to take care of what we don't have (vs4-6). He says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you”. We don't have power to sleep around, nor can we please ourselves our own way, but God will help us to be happy and faithful.  Don't bemoan what you don't have (freedom to sin).  Enjoy what you do have (access to grace). Think upon God and not sin, being filled by Him.

Learn that obedience to Christ, living that others learn the gospel, and devotion to heaven above is the real fulfillment in this world. Lusting won't stop the pain.

Thirdly, a mans behavior, his expression of faith, must be analyzed and discerned (vs7). He says, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct”.  Faithful men are to be followed, not blindly, but so far as their behavior honors the gospel and leads to eternal life.  We don't watch others applaudingly, but we serve God by their example.  Not only are we following faithful men, but we're examples to others ourselves.

Finally, grace is the gospel, and it never changes (vs8-9). He says, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them”.  Don't worship God by methods that don't work, even the law.  Worship by the grace that comes for Jesus' sake.  True religion is occupied with God's Son earning what God freely gives, the new covenant.  Don't waver or stumble.  The only salvation is grace, so Christ, by faith, is all.