Fear or Faith?

 

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:1–6 ESV).

 

The writer comes to our reading today and calls believers to live out a countercultural faith rooted in brotherly love, hospitality, sexual purity, and contentment. It urges practical action—loving fellow Christians, assisting the marginalized, and honoring marriage—all anchored in the promise of God’s presence, enabling us to trust Him rather than fearing man. It is a clear and concise description of the life of faith. The admonition closes with the promise of Jesus’ protection and provision throughout our lives. There are some practical encouragements that the writer outlines broadly.

 

First, he says we should continue in brotherly love (v. 1). There should be no surprise at the inclusion of this as the first principle. The foundation of Christian living is maintaining familial love within the church. We see it throughout the Book of Acts and John’s Gospel. In fact, John quotes Jesus as He teaches:

 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35 ESV).

 

The writer then tells us to practice hospitality (v. 2). Believers are encouraged to show hospitality to strangers, as it can lead to honoring God in unexpected ways. Hospitality is a lost principle in our culture today. We have become competitive and selfish in our relationships causing so much pain and rejection from others.

 

Third, the writer simply says, remember the suffering (v. 3). We are called to feel the pain of prisoners and the ill-treated as if it were our own, offering tangible compassion. It is a clear call toward sympathy toward others in their suffering. There is no room for the attitude of “he made his bed, let him sleep in it.”

Fourth, the writer says we should honor marriage (v. 4). This passage emphasizes maintaining purity and faithfulness, keeping or vows in purity. And, last, he writes that our lives should be free from the love of money, trusting in God's promise: "I will never leave you nor forsake you".

 

He closes with this wonderful promise that since the Lord is our helper, we can live without fear of what others can do to us. Our decision today is simply whether we will live our lives in fear or faith.