Our Duties

FROM: FEBRUARY 20 @ 26, 2018

TOPIC: “Our Duties” Hebrews 13:1 "Let fraternal love remain." In the book of Hebrews the Lord does not teach practical matters to live our new Christian life. We can see in this chapter 13 that his verses are very useful to be able to develop ourselves in our duties as believers. It is very helpful for each of these points to be clear and present in our knowledge to live and to let us see that as children of God we are an example to the angels, to humanity, to Heaven and to all creation! It is good to learn everything mentioned here, which allows us to see the qualities and essential characteristics of the Christian life! If knowing them you do not do them, and the reason for not doing them is because you do not want to, then that means that you are not a believer. But, if you do not know, now is the time to learn them and to put them into practice during your whole life that you walk with your Savior! The qualities, or graces, that should be developed by each Christian are the following. First, THE LOVE OF THE BROTHERS, a very important grace that must be developed. There should be in each one of us the feeling of the family relationship for with all true Christians and an acknowledgment of this relationship through loving words and actions (in the manifestation of the love given by God). Let us be careful if we think that we deserve to be loved first (Christ gave His life for you, He loves you and no one like Him). We must love (I John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongues, but with actions and in truth.”). Let us really love; examine yourself and make sure that your love is not a pretense and that it is not just for convenience. Hebrews 13:2 "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have without knowing it." We are told that we have to SHOW OUR HOSPITALITY (welcome and entertain in kindness and generosity the brothers in need). In those times it was mandatory to give hospitality to the believers who were fleeing persecution and who found it difficult to find encouragement and shelter. They did it, although with their hospitality those host brothers were exposing themselves to danger. It is for us today to offer hospitality to the believer who needs it. Think, if it is not easy to arrive at someone's house out of necessity, then imagine what it would be like to arrive and not be received! There is always the studious possibility that by doing so we may, without knowing it, be hosting angels! There are men and women whose very presence is a blessing and whose pious influence on our family can have results that reach eternity! If we are not used to being hospitable, let us not expect to host angels either! Hebrew 13:3 “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners…” Here we are called to TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INCARCERATED BROTHERS. In ancient times many of the believers were taken imprisoned for their testimony for Christ. In prison they would need food, warm clothing, reading material and encouragement. Visiting them was like visiting Christ! (Hebrews 13:3 “…and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”). SHOW COMPASSION FOR THE MISTREATED, here it refers to the persecuted Christians. The brothers who showed that compassion were also exposed to being mistreated. But, it was for Christ that they did it! We should remember that we are in the Body (which is the church of Christ) just like them and that we are therefore subject to similar afflictions. Hebrew 13:4 "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed be kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." Marriage should be taken as honorable (integral, honest, decent, estimated) by all. We should remember that it was instituted by God before sin entered the world and that it is His holy will for humanity. To treat it as something impure like the false doctrines do and others, inclusive, to make jokes or mock about it

like some Christians do sometimes, is equally prohibited here by the Scriptures. The married ones should remain faithful to their vows and with that maintain the marital bed without blemish (without dishonoring and smearing the good status it had before). Adultery is not an illness, it's a sin! And it is a sin that God will undoubtedly judge! That judgment cannot be avoided, no form of immorality will escape. He will judge it in this life through corporal damages, broken families, mental and nervous afflictions and deformations of the personality. And unless those persons are forgiven through the blood of Christ, God will finally judge them in the eternal fire! The sixth virtue to cultivate is CONTENTMENT (Hebrews 13:5 "Let your habits be without covetousness, content with what you have now, for He said: I will not forsake you, nor will I leave you."). May your way of living be without greed, happy with what you have now! And so it is. The least that the Christian has is infinitely better than the greatest that the world could offer. Why not be happy? We have Christ and He is enough! The love for money can be a huge obstacle for the believer. Just as a small silver coin before the eye comes between it and the sun, in the same way greed breaks the communion with God and hinders the spiritual growth. The greatest riches that no one can have reside in the possession of the One who has promised: "I will not forsake you nor will I leave you." Let us consider these virtues seriously which are our duties, God expects that from us! Amen.