Keep on Loving

Hebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
 
WHAT do you learn when Hebrews urges the church to keep on loving each other as brothers? Apparently the men and women of this church have been loving each other. Hebrews has affirmed the church is living into the Lord’s command to love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34a). 
   Hebrews then encourages the church to entertain strangers. This directive was to help the church be prepared to offer food and lodging to Christians escaping persecution. Such sacrificial, life-giving love would be a great risk to many households. Countless Christians around the world express this love today when they care for people banished from their families and towns because of their faith.
   Could you one day entertain angels? When Hebrews says some people have entertained angels without knowing it, he referred to Genesis 18 when the Lord and two angels visited Abrahm. And he refers to Genesis 19 when two angels went to Lot just before the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. The heavenly visitors had specific messages for both men. To Abraham and Sarah, they confirmed a son would be born within the year. To Lot, the angels warned of the impending judgment and directed Lot’s escape route. Hebrews’ point is to be alert. Have an open heart to discern what God is saying to you and doing in your life. He may be sending people to you, so you can care for them and encourage them in their Christian walk. He may be sending people to you, so they can care for you and encourage you in your Christian walk.
   Through such loving hospitality, thousands of churches have begun. Missionaries have been given rest and opportunities to share the gospel and their stories of God’s saving work. Christians have prayed for and encouraged one another. People have come to faith when a household has welcomed “strangers” in need of God’s love and mercy. 
   Then Hebrews encourages the church to remember those in prison…as if you yourselves were suffering. Pray for the persecuted church. Where possible, go to visit those imprisoned for their faith. This was a very real need in the first century as it is today around the world. Those jailed for their faith need faithful support from all of us. One way to do so is to go the Voice of the Martyrs website at https://www.persecution.com/. About mid-page, you will find three ways you can join with people around the world to pray for God’s protection and provision for his faithful children.
   Keep on caring for others. Keep on loving.