Timeless Counsel to Live By

There are forces which seek to bring discouragement, doubt, despair and death to Christians since time immemorial.   The writer to the book of Hebrews tells the believers then that their faith in Christ is built on better promises because Christ is superior to angels, Moses and the Aaronic priesthood.  Furthermore, the writer went on to list down the heroes of faith, including those who suffered greatly for their faith.  In concluding his letter, he gave us some timeless counsel which we would do well to take heed, especially in these times we’re living in.

¹Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. ² Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. ³ Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.   ⁴ Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

⁶ So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”    ⁷ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:1-8 (NIV)

In an age where people’s love for God will grow increasingly cold, the counsel to love the brethren cannot be overemphasised.  Why should love for brothers and sisters continue?  Simply because love is the hallmark of Christians: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”   (Jn 13:35 NIV)  And love is the greatest human force that can counter the schemes of the devil, who is bent to steal, kill and destroy the life and joy in the human spirit. 

   

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.   2 Tim 3:1-5 NIV

There is a tendency for us to be self-absorbed in our own work and to fulfil our own lusts at the expense of others.  We are more concerned about ‘what’s in it for me?’-mentality when it comes to societal involvement.  We look for hand-outs rather than lend a helping hand.  The growing secularisation of society is something we have to contend with – they promulgate the notion that physical world is all there is and everything can eventually be explained scientifically; hence there is no need for God and as such no moral accountability is needed, so they can do whatever they like to fulfil the desires of their flesh. 

   

The writer to Hebrews tells us that love for the brethren should continue as during that time people were already prone to neglect meeting together  (Heb 10:24-25) and has to be encouraged to see how they could spur one another to love and good deeds.  I note with great joy the efforts by an oikos and church members to encourage a brother to return back to Christian fellowship and worship. That’s the power of love in action – picking up the phone to call or sending him a sms to find out how he’s getting along and to encourage his return.      

This love can be further demonstrated in our actions in relation to how we treat other people, in particular – strangers, prisoners, spouses, spiritual leaders – with a special mention on personal attitude towards money.  A lot of problems or progress in life comes from our relationship with people. Life would have been much more pleasant and productive if we learn to relate to one another in the spirit of Christian love.   I would like to give you some of the attributes people of all cultures expect of one another in order to have a harmonious living relationship. 

1.       People like to be treated with Kindness 

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it (v 2)

This alludes to Abraham entertaining 3 visitors (looking like humans) but who turned out to be angels.  The other example is Manoah & his wife; they prepared meals for them.  The angels came bearing news of the birth of a son for Sarah (Isaac) & Manoah’s wife (Samson); both were initially barren.  

Strangers represent a group of people we may not know intimately.  It could be our neighbour, the man in the street or in the public transport or possibly people in church; you’d be surprised that many people may not know one another in church, except maybe those in their oikos or ministry groups.   

When we show kindness to people, they may take advantage of us.  And there are times when our kindness may be misinterpreted or not reciprocated.   Remember the words of Mother Theresa: “If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway!” 

 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”    Mt 7:12 NIV  [This is the golden rule of living]

When we are kind to others, we invite kindness in return; sometimes in unexpected form.

I want to mention something about angels (mentioned 300x in the Bible). They are God’s secret agents sent to minister to us rather than to be ministered to (Heb 1:14).  All of us have a guardian angel to watch over and protect us (Mt 18:10).  I was recently protected from serious harm to my head when I fell during my jog on a wet day. 

We live in a material world where we can see, touch and sense in our physical beings.  But just beyond a thin veil is the spiritual world where angels are very real and very busy.  Occasionally, the physical eyes are opened to see the reality of angels – as in the case of Elisha’s servant (2 Kgs 6:15-17) – but often angels do their work undetected by the human eye.  Many have reported seeing angels sent to help those in need.

In worship services, we can often sense the manifest presence of God.  In the natural, this happens all the time where the natural ‘presence’ is evident together with a person.  When you return from a holiday, you bring a sense of relaxation and refreshing along.  Or the opposite can happen, your spouse can come home from work, bringing along all the tension and anxiety of a terrible lousy day.  The angels of God, who spend so much time in God’s presence worshipping Him, cannot but bring the fragrance of heaven with them.  God’s holiness supercharges the atmosphere and that affects His angels, who would bring an extra wave of His holiness wherever they go. 

We are connected to the spiritual world through the agency of prayer.  Prayer is usually the catalyst for enlisting the assistance of angels.  All prayers are to be directed to God, never to angels.  Abraham, Daniel, Cornelius and the Jerusalem church all prayed to God, and He answered through angelic intervention each time.

2.       People like to be treated with Empathy          

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering (v 3)

Whether it’s showing kindness to a stranger or visiting those in prison, Jesus mentioned that such deeds are in fact done to Him.  God sees the motivations and attitudes of our heart.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’              Mt 25:34-36, 40 NIV

Empathy is a great virtue to have.  It means the ability to identify ourselves with the experiences of people in dire straits, whether they be sick or in want.  Without this virtue, it would be very difficult to meet man’s basic need for food, clothing and shelter as well as minister to their felt needs – when they are sick or in prison.  This has spawned Christian ministries like Jesus Heals & Prisons Fellowship ministries, reaching out to the sick and prisoners (and people connected with them).  In our church, the Pastor’s Prayer sessions and Social Concerns ministry go in some way to meet the felt needs of our community.

In one of the 7 habits of highly effective people, we are told “Seek first to understand then to be understood”.  How often times have conversations ended in misunderstanding and quarrels when people do not see things eye to eye?  By clarifying and trying to understand where a person is coming from, rather than thinking how to rebut the person, a lot of heartaches and frustrations can be avoided, especially pertaining to relational conflicts and breakups.   I believe that is in keeping with the spirit of genuine conversation. 

We live in a world where the entitlement-mentality is so prevalent – worshipping the unholy trinity of I, Me and Myself.  When we empathise with others, a lot of issues can be resolved in an amicable fashion, without allowing pride to rear its ugly head.  

 

3.       People like to be treated with Respect 

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral (v 4)

In this case, our spouses deserve our respect through the keeping of the marriage vows.  For the unmarried, it is to avoid fornication – sex outside of marriage – respecting the person whom you are going out with.  Sex is hallowed and created by God, and is to be consummated within the confines of marriage between a husband and wife.  This definition of marriage is increasingly being hijacked by the gay community nowadays.   

“pure” (hagnos, Gk) – free from all taint which is lewd; acts/thoughts that incite desire not in accordance with one’s virginity or marriage vows.  There’s a need to avoid all sexual actions and excitements that would defile one’s purity before God.

“sexual immorality” (porneia, Gk) – wide variety of sexual activities outside the marriage relationship, including touching intimate parts of body or seeing another person’s nakedness.  Technological advancements have made sexual immorality so rampant on the internet/social media.  Nowadays our young are so bold as to take naked pictures of themselves and send it to their so-called girlfriend or boyfriend.  Little did they realise that their pictures can go viral to their shame and detriment.  Also, some of them are having sex under the age of 16.  

When we don’t respect others – their worth as a human being – a lot of vices will ensue, as mentioned above.  We will demean them through words and actions that could possibly cause grievous harm to them.   When students do not respect teachers, they show it through their defiance and rebellious acts.   When we don’t show respect to people, we will ignore what they say.  This would result in hurt and resentment against one another.     When we respect others, we accord them the dignity and worth that is befitting a creature created in God’s image. 

  

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Pet 2:17 NIV

4.       We are to be Content with what we have  

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (v 5)

There’s no denying that we all need money to live and sustain ourselves physically.  For many of us, we earn our keeps by doing decent work, either as an employer or employee.  In fact, Paul gave the Thessalonians this command, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 2 Th 3:10 NIV
Depending on our expectations with regard to living standards, we will keep on working or making investments to make ends meet, unless we have a benefactor who constantly provides for us.  Material wealth is often associated with God’s blessing.  However, there is a dark side to money which we should not be ignorant about.  In fact, Jesus mentioned that we cannot serve both God and money (Lk 16:13 NIV).  Money is placed as a rival to God, competing for our affection.  This can be seen in Jesus’ response to the rich young man (who claimed to have kept the commandments of God), “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  Mk 10:21 NIV

Jesus saw the bondage he’s being held under; hence the injunction to sell everything and to give them away.  The young man became crestfallen and walked away from Jesus.

The Philippines sex extortion syndicate exploited the vulnerabilities of people by enticing them to perform sexual acts (cyber-sex) online.  Little did such people realise that their acts were filmed secretly and they were able to hold them random for large sums of money, with the threat of uploading the video online.  One person has committed suicide due to this.  This is but just the tip of the iceberg where unscrupulous means of obtaining money is going on in this world today – human trafficking (people lured into prostitution, slavery, loan sharking activities, etc.)

Let us place our material possession in context – those of us who own a home are wealthier than 95% of all the people on earth.  God is certainly our help and provider; He will never leave us or forsake us.  Naked we came into this world and naked we shall return.  All our earthly possessions will be left behind. 

       

When we are content with what we have, a lot of social ills and evil can be avoided.  We will begin to relate to people with genuine love rather than what we can get out of them.  Our money would be used as a means to bless the lives of others and to extend God’s kingdom on earth.   

Paul says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”  1 Tim 6:6 NIV

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”  Phil 4:12-13 NIV

5.       People like  to be Affirmed or Appreciated

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith (v 7)

Remember your spiritual leaders – those who have gone ahead and those still alive – how they spoke the word of God to you; imitate their faith in God.  The qualities of an overseer include the earlier 3 points mentioned (1 Tim 3:1-7). One of the major ways we can affirm spiritual leaders is to pray for them, recognising that they are still fallible.

“Pray for us.  We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.” Heb 13:18 NIV

There is no denying that all of us need affirmation from time to time.  Affirmation is a love language that ministers to our soul (emotional part).  It is like an energy booster for those who are down or to encourage us in our work or labour for the Lord. 

“That was a wonderful timely message/work you’ve done, you must have spent a lot of time labouring over it.”

“You are so steady. I like the way you think before you speak.”

“One of the things I really admire about you is that you are dependable.  When you give your word, I can count on it.”  

These are but some examples of words of affirmation.

When we affirm others, we give them the strength and encouragement they need to carry on what they have been doing.   Affirmation can also be in the form of deeds – giving of food, treats, presents and sometimes cash.   

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (v 8)  

Above all else, we are to look to Jesus Christ – our unchanging God, whose moral standards are unchanging despite the changing circumstances of life.  He is the one who empowers and enables the leaders of old to walk by faith and He is the one who enables the current leaders to walk as Jesus did.    Because God is unchanging, His precepts and counsel are timeless and that’s why we would do well to follow them.

²⁵ In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
²⁶ They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
    Like clothing you will change them
    and they will be discarded.
²⁷ But you remain the same,
    and your years will never end.            Ps 102:25-27 NIV

Be a person who treats people with kindness, empathy, respect and affirmation, and not consumed by greed. 

Research done by Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching revealed that in technical jobs, like engineering, about 15% of one’s financial success is due to one’s technical knowledge and about 85% is due to skill in human engineering ie. To personality and the ability to lead people.   To be successful in life, we all need to learn how to have the human touch even in a high-tech world.

 

God is constantly moulding and shaping our lives – our attitudes and conduct – in the face of adversity or challenges, whether they relate to us directly or not.   When the Bible talks about us ministering to Jesus through the poor, weak, sick and helpless of society, the whole point of emphasis is about us and not them.  God wants to transform us into the character and image of Jesus Christ.  Would you allow God to mould you into the person He intended you to be?  Have you learnt how to love others more?