Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and
statements of counsel. Read Hebrews 13 and find statements about the following
questions:
How should we treat strangers and those “in bonds”? (Hebrews 13:1-2)
As members of Christ’s church we must
treat strangers with “brotherly love.” We do not know what they have been
through, they may have even been visited by the Holy Spirit and not even know
it. Treating them with love and kindness as Hebrews 13:1-2 tells us to do, puts
us on equal grounds, thus making us comfortable to be around. Christ was the
prime example of treating strangers for who they truly were, brothers and
sisters. His example of empathy and compassion showed how He understood their
problems, this helped others to know that He was there to help those overcome
trials and sin.
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye
would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and
the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
How is marriage looked upon? (Hebrews 13:4)
Hebrews 13:4 describes marriage as “honorable,”
to me this is living under the law of the covenant. In “The Family: A
Proclamation to the World” the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles proclaim that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God
and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of
His children.” When a man and woman are married in the temple, their family can
be together forever. Marriage is part of Heavenly Father’s greater plan, it
enables us to have children under the covenant and raise them in a home where
correct principles are established and they are taught the messages of Christ.
“What therefore God hath joined together,
let not man put asunder.” (Mark 10:9)
What warnings are given about covetousness? (Hebrews 13:5)
We are told that we should be content
with the things that we have and not covet what we don’t have. This is just
exact what we are told in the 10th Commandment, we should never
covet because it only brings about selfishness and unhappiness. This is a never
ending trend where one is always wanting something they don’t have. All we need
is found through Jesus Christ, we must remember that always.
Matthew 6:20 reminds us to “Lay
your treasure in heaven…”
What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”? (Hebrews 13:8)
Hebrews 13:8 tells us that God is
the same yesterday, today, and for eternity. Jesus Christ will always represent
himself in the same consistent way as well. Just as the foundation of His
church was built with prophets and apostles and the spirit of revelation upon
the earth. There are promises from Christ which He has left which allow us to
know that He will not change. He is the true light in our search for happiness
and eternal life.
The prophet Mormon said, “For I
know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is
unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity” (Moroni 8:18).
How are we sanctified? (Hebrews 13:12)
The blood of Christ has sanctified
us, only because of Him can we return back to our Father in Heaven. This is how
we can be with our families for eternity as well, through keeping the covenants
and commandments we have made to Him. He made the sacrifice for us and left us
the choice to accept.
In 2 Timothy 2:21, Paul compares
sanctification to the purifying of a vessel: “If a man therefore purge himself
… , he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s
use, and prepared unto every good work.”
How do we respond to those who rule over us? (Hebrews 13:17)
Every six months we are asked to
approve and sustain the First Presidency and other Apostles, not only world
wide area but also in the local area, during General Conference. I believe, for
the most part, this approval and sustaining is in the positive. Of course, each
of us has our free agency. We do not have to participate in this sustaining
vote. I feel it is a privilege and honor. Those leaders in the Church are
called by God through revelation and hold the keys to administer the gospel. These keys are held with great responsibility.
When we make wrong choices and the local leader must speak to us, we have to
take the consequences of our choice. Sometimes we do not fully weigh the
results because some of our hardest choices are between the advice of friends
and the advice of the prophets.
The Brother of Jared said in 2
Nephi 9:29, “…to be learned is good if they hearken unto
the counsels of God.”
“Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do
not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Who did Paul ask the people to pray for? (Hebrews 13:18-19)
Paul requested that the people “Pray
for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to
live honestly….that I may be restored to you the sooner.” In this epistle
Paul was asking the people for their faith in prayer as he was on his mission.
He wanted to have the spirit to be with him constantly as he preached the word
of Christ. Having the prayers of the people helped to strengthen him and showed
his faith and strength in the Lord.
“Pray always, and I will pour
out my Spirit upon you.” (D&C 19:38)
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