New Covenant Living

I was debating on the title for this study between “New Covenant Living” and “Practical Christianity.”  There is a lot in Hebrews 13 about how we are to conduct ourselves as Christians.  It’s kind of a “now that I am saved, what do I do now?” instruction manual.  Of course, it is not the only one.  The New Testament is full of letters on how we are to live as a child of God.  There have been a couple good studies on Hebrews that I went through that taught me a lot on this book, one by J.D. Graeer and one by Pete Briscoe.  You can probably find both on YouTube or just google them.  Anyways, some of this comes from notes I have from watching their studies.  I hope this will strengthen you, encourage you and help you to grow in your walk with the Lord.  May God bless you always!

Hebrews 13:1-23

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.

This simply says to love people.  Show hospitality to others.  Jesus says to love your neighbor and that others will know we are His disciples by our love.  Help those in need and stand up for those who cannot defend themselves (unborn babies and homeless, for instance).  Open our hearts and homes.  Pray for those who are oppressed or persecuted.  Be kind to those around you.  Our ministries should be both within the church and outside the church.

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Marriage is a covenant not to be broken.  We discussed this a couple posts back.  It is a covenant not only between you and your spouse (one man and one woman), but also between you and God.

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.”  So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

We have Jesus.  That is everything we need.  That should give us great confidence.  God is the great provider and will give you all that you need.  I do not think he means it is wrong to desire things or to have things, but don’t dwell on it and be generous, giving to those in need, as the verses above tell us.  Bless others with the blessings that God gives us.  Be good stewards with both our time and riches.  Remember, our treasure is in heaven.

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 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.

It is always good to have a mentor in the faith.  Surround yourself with friends who are godly and follow their example (and be an example).  Support the leaders of your church, and as others teach be sure to verify the truth with God’s word.  Read your Bible every day and don’t take anyone’s word for granted.  Know what is truth and what is false.  There are a lot of false doctrines out there.  I hope that those reading my posts will dig deeper in these scriptures, reading the context and studying other scriptures.

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 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. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Jesus says to follow Him we must carry our cross daily.  Let us remember the cross and give Him praise for it.  He gave His life so that we me truly live.  Let us speak to others and share our faith, and share God’s word and give a testimony to those around us.  For many of us, this is a hard thing to do.  Perhaps that is what is meant by carrying our cross.  It is also a reminder of the love and sacrifice, and grace that He gave us. We ought to show this love and grace to others, even if that means giving up something, even if that means stepping out of our comfort zone.

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Be supportive of your pastors and teachers.  Don’t be a burden to them.  They don’t need the added stress of bickering and complaining.  They have enough things to deal with in the church.  They have the burden of leading the flock and knowing they will be judged on how they teach, what they teach and how you grow.  Encourage them and pray for them, hold them accountable in their teaching and actions, but always in love.  Remember that we can’t expect them to do everything in the church.  We each have a ministry and we need to step up and do our share, not just sitting back expecting someone else do all the work.  I see this too much in many churches…actually, every one I have been to, to some degree.

Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Remember that your church leaders are human.  They try, but they make mistakes.  They have struggles.  They need your prayers and they need your grace.  Support them any way you can.

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.

It is all about Jesus.  Allow Him to work in your life.  May He work in you and through you to help you grow and to help others grow.

And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

May this be an encouragement to you and may you encourage those around you.  And may God get all the glory for all that we say and do, that our minds are pure, that our focus is on Him, that His love and His light shines through each of us.