Author: Charlie Garrett

Tuesday, 7 May 2019

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2

This verse closely matches Paul’s words of Romans 12:13 where he uses the same word signifying “hospitality” that is used here. There he exhorts that they were to be “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” As there, the author here exhorts the Hebrew people that they are not to “forget to entertain strangers.”

Some scholars take this as meaning that this is speaking of fellow believers, and not necessarily anyone in general. There is a giant problem with that thought which is revealed in the next words, “for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” A stranger is a person who is unknown. One could go through a process of asking questions about his faith, the church he attends, the name of the pastor, etc., but this isn’t the intent of the words. It is to “entertain strangers.”

It may be that finding out if a person is a believer is a good thing to do. If not, then one can evangelize the non-believer. But this verse leaves no qualifiers, and it doesn’t mention the strangers as “brethren.” It simply says to “entertain strangers.” In so doing, one might actually, and without knowing it, “entertain angels.”

The word “angel” signifies a messenger. It is true that the word is usually associated with heavenly beings, but Paul says this to the Galatians using the same word –

“And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” Galatians 4:14

James says this about the spies whom Rahab received, again using the same word –

“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?” James 2:25

Paul’s statement indicates an angel of God, but they knew him to be a messenger of the gospel. James’ words indicate that these spies were messengers. Rahab entertained, or welcomed, them and saved herself and her household. It does seem, however, that the intent of the author’s words is that he is referring to heavenly beings. Some equate this with the visitation of Abraham by the three men in Genesis 18. However, Abraham, from his first words to them, addressed the leader of them as Adonai. It is a term indicating the Lord (Jehovah). Abraham wasn’t unaware of who He was, only as to why He had come.

The reason for this verse is probably that of a test of the individual. God already knows how we, as individuals, will respond to certain situations, but we do not. By sending an angel, we are given the chance to learn about ourselves, and to then reflect on what occurred. In the end, though, the verse says that our meeting is actually unknown to us. We will not be able to definitively state, “I was visited by an angel.” Rather, we will have a suspicion that it is so. This is the purpose of such a test.

Life application: Whether or not people since the completion of the Bible really have had angelic visits where they have communicated with those angels, while knowing they were angels, is disputable. The evidence is usually against such. However, the author today makes it abundantly clear that we may be visited by angels without ever realizing it.

When we entertain a stranger – helping him in some way for example – we learn more about ourselves. After doing whatever it is he has come to challenge us with, we can look back and really wonder, “Was that an angel?” How often do we hear of someone who helps another person, or is helped by them, and then that person just disappears? When this happens, the person will evaluate his own actions during the situation and hopefully realize that one of God’s messengers really may have been involved in it.

This should (stress should) make him want to search out the things of God even more. It should also prompt him to act likewise towards others in the future. If you believe you have had an angelic encounter, take time to evaluate yourself. If there are angels, there is a God. If there’s a God, then we really are accountable to Him. Contemplate this and understand His good intent for you by allowing an angel to interact with you.

Lord, Your word says that we are to entertain strangers because we may actually be entertaining an angel without even realizing it. As this would then be a test for us to learn from, help us to reflect on all of our interactions with others, and to be willing to be hospitable to everyone that we are able to help. Isn’t this the purpose of such a test in the first place? Help us to be charitable according to the grace You have first shown us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Monday, 6 May 2019

Let brotherly love continue. Hebrews 13:1

We now begin the final chapter of the book of Hebrews, and it will last for less than a month of daily commentaries. Verse 1 begins the chapter right where chapter 12 left off –

For our God is a consuming fire.

Let brotherly love continue.

The thought of the previous verse was that of God’s fire consuming that which is not acceptable in His people when they enter into glory. All such things are considered as wood, hay, or stubble and will be burned up at the judgment seat of Christ. In order to have more gain and less loss, the author gives a note of expectation by saying, “Let brotherly love continue.”

The Greek word is philadelphia. It means, “affection for the brethren.” This is why the city of Philadelphia is known as “The city of brotherly love.” Here, the author acknowledges that brotherly love was evidenced among them, and he is spurring them on to continue with this attitude. This was seen in his words of Chapter 6 –

“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

In conducting themselves in this manner, and in continuing to do so in the future, they will have less of the “consuming fire,” and more of the “well done good and faithful servant,” coming their way when they stand before Christ. So should it be with each one of us.

It is to be understood that the idea of brotherly love here is limited to the body of believers. This is seen, for example, in Peter’s words in his second letter –

“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:17

A distinction is made here, as is made by Paul when he uses the same term as this verse in Hebrews, philidelphia, in Romans 12:10 and 1 Thessalonians 4:9.

Life application: One thing that is stressed again and again in the New Testament is brotherly love; having affection for all in the body of Christ. This is unfortunately not something that comes about as much as it should. Rather, we divide churches over teeny issues and we disown friends because our feelings get hurt over something they say. But Paul is pretty clear about how we should conduct ourselves around other believers –

“If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? ⁵ I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? ⁶ But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

⁷ Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? ⁸ No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!” 1 Corinthians 6:4-8

He says that it would be better that we were cheated than to turn and sue a fellow believer. It’s not just for our sake that he says this, but rather for the sake of Jesus’ name. When fellow Christians act in such an unbecoming manner, the One who ultimately looks bad in others’ eyes is Jesus – “Ah, those Christians are all a bunch of hypocrites.”

Are we setting a noble example for Christ in our conduct and behavior? Think on these things and … keep loving each other as brothers. This is the calling to which we are called. Let’s pray about this….

Lord Jesus, it is extremely hard to overlook an offense when we are wronged by others. Give us hearts that are more willing to be molded to Your image. You have forgiven us so very much and we need to emulate the grace bestowed upon us. In the end, may it be Your name which is held in high esteem as we live our lives to Your glory. Amen.

Sunday, 5 May 2019

For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29

This verse is often quoted in relation to God’s judgment on sinners who will be consumed before Him. And, it is true that this is the case. Vincent’s Word Studies explains this verse as –

“He is the God of both covenants (see Hebrews 1:1, Hebrews 1:2, and notes); but though now revealed in Jesus Christ, and offering all the privileges of the new covenant (Hebrews 12:22-24), his anger burns against those who reject these privileges.”

The verse is a quote from Deuteronomy 4:24 –

“For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

Understanding this, and knowing that the same God is revealed in both covenants, it doesn’t mean that this is a reference to unbelievers. Rather, the previous verse said –

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

The author there is clearly speaking of saved believers, not unbelievers. And yet, as saved believers, we must “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. The reason for this isn’t because we might lose our salvation and be cast into the fires of hell, but because we will stand before Christ Jesus and we will be judged by Him for reward and loss. This is found first in 2 Corinthians 3:11-15 –

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

And then again, in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 we read this –

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ¹¹ Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

It is this fire which consumes which the author is here referring to. It is not one of judgment leading to condemnation, but one of judgment leading to final purification. All that which is of passing value will be burned away. What is left is what we shall be for all eternity.

Life application: In the quote from Paul, he gave two types of foundations – one built on something which can withstand fire and one which can’t. Gold, silver, and costly stones can all withstand fire and are purified from impurities when heated, but wood, hay, and straw are all easily burned up. The question for each of us then is, “What type of eternal foundation am I laying?” If we are spending our Christian lives living marginally for the Lord and entertaining the world, our deeds will be burned up. If we are living our lives for His glory and to His good ends, then what we do will be refined and found useful in our eternal home. Think now on the things of God and live for him lest your deeds be consumed, rather than purified in His refining fire.

Truly Lord, You leave the choice up to us – will we receive a thimble, a cup, a bucket, or a drum full of Your blessings when we stand before You? May our deeds be pleasing in Your sight, and may our lives not be wasted in the temporary when the eternal is our true home. Teach us to live our days rightly. Amen.

Saturday, 4 May 2019

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Hebrews 12:28

The word, “Therefore,” is given to sum up the words of verses 18-27. The author has been dealing with the kingdom which is expected for the believer and what it will be like. This is received as an inheritance the moment a person places his trust in Christ, but it is not actually received at that point in time, just as an inheritance is given to a son, but he does not receive it until a certain point in the future.

This is certain based on the author’s continued words which say, “since we are receiving a kingdom.” The verb is a present participle, and thus “are receiving” is correct. This will be realized at a future point, but which is being received as believers are brought into the New Covenant since its inception. This kingdom is one “which cannot be shaken.”

These words are in confirmation of what the author has referred to in the previous three verses and are summed up in verse 27. There it spoke of “the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.” That which remains is the “kingdom which cannot be shaken.” Based on the fact that this lies ahead for the believer as a certainty, he then says, “let us have grace.”

It is argued by scholars whether this should be translated as “grace” or “thankfulness.” Both ideas fit well in the verse if so translated. The chosen translation is to be based on what is next stated, which is, “by which we may serve God acceptably.”

If thankfulness, then Jesus’ words of Luke 17 fit the idea well –

“Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. ¹⁰ So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” Luke 17:9, 10

It is further seen in Paul’s words elsewhere, such as –

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” 1 Timothy 1:12

However, the idea of having grace also fits the idea of serving God acceptably. In Romans 12, Paul speaks of the grace given to him which allowed him to serve, and then he says the same of those he is writing to by saying, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8).

One receives grace to in order to serve, and therefore he should have grace when serving. As you can see, and as stated above, the word can easily be connected to either “grace” or “thankfulness.” Either translation is acceptable.

From there, the author says we are to have this grace (or thankfulness) and to use it in a manner “by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” The word “acceptably” literally means, “well-pleasingly.” We are to serve in a well-pleasing manner in order for it to be received acceptably. And that is by giving God due reverence, meaning with circumspect behavior, and with a godly fear, meaning that we are to understand that our actions will be judged and will be either rewarded or burnt up.

We cannot presume that because we are doing good words in Jesus’ name that our conduct can be less than godly in the performance of those works. The two must be united to form a holy, acceptable offering to the Lord.

Life application: As difficult as it is to imagine, we – the fallible masses of Christendom – are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Imagine the bickering, divisiveness, petty argumentation, and out-right backstabbing that goes on in Christian circles. People fight over whether to stand or sit while praying. Congregations divide over which version of the Bible should be used. People point fingers at those who dress differently. The list goes on. And yet, despite all of this child-like behavior, we are promised a kingdom. Let us be thankful.

It is hard to imagine how it must look to the Creator when we disparage each other as we do in the name of “denominational purity.” And yet, we are promised a kingdom. Let us be thankful.

Despite ourselves – even despite ourselves – we are promised a kingdom. Let us be thankful.

And because we are promised such an unshakable kingdom, let us worship our Creator acceptably, and with reverence and godly fear. Reverence and godly fear, although often held by the entire congregation, is an individual decision. Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God. Then your service will be acceptable!

Almighty and glorious Creator, help us to focus on the proper form of service to You – in whatever manner we serve – with reverence and awe. As we serve, may our words bring you glory, may our actions bring you glory, and may our very lives bring you glory as we worship you – our great and majestic God. Amen.

Friday, 3 May 2019

Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:27

We now come to a verse which is highly debated over as to its meaning. The author says, “Now this, ‘Yet once more.’” That is speaking of what was just stated in the previous verse which said –

“Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

The words “Yet once more,” signify “once more only.” There is a finality to what is being accomplished. When it is done, the results will be complete, final, and without need of further action.

Now explaining this, he says it “indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken.” The words “being shaken” are translated from a present participle and so it is obvious that this is on-going. It is not something that was simply accomplished and finalized at Christ’s first advent, but which takes us into a point in the future. From there, he explains exactly what he is referring to as meaning, “of things that are made.”

This is the clause that most commentators struggle with. Exactly what the author is referring to seems difficult to pin down, but he will explicitly say this in the next verse –

“…since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken.”

Therefore, it seems best to look at the words, “of things that are made,” as referring to anything that is not a part of this future kingdom, when it is brought to its final state. There are seven dispensations of time. In those dispensations, various things have occurred which are temporary in nature. For example, the dispensation of “government” allows the nations to govern themselves. This will be shaken out of the plan.

The dispensation of law required numerous things for Israel to do or not to do. These pointed to the work of the coming Christ, but were only intended as temporary pictures of what He would fulfill and then set aside. These will be shaken out of the Hebrew people when they put their full trust and hope in Christ. In essence, everything that is to be shaken out of the things that are made is already set to be shaken out by Christ’s first advent. However, they are actually not yet accomplished. This is akin to salvation. For those who have come to Christ, we are already saved, justified, sanctified, and glorified in God’s plans according to Paul’s words, and yet we are still here going through this fallen life in a fallen world. This idea corresponds to what the author is saying here in Hebrews.

All of this is done because of the work of Christ, but it is waiting to be realized so “that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.” When that which is accomplished by Christ is fully realized in what God has set based on Christ’s work, the only thing that will be left is that which is fully acceptable and pleasing to God. We can think of it this way –

“The work is accomplished and the plan is complete, but we are just waiting for time to catch up with that completion.”

One can look to Revelation 13:8 to more fully grasp this –

“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

There, Christ is called, “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” God’s plan was already accomplished before a single thing had been created, but that plan had to be worked out in the stream of time. Eventually, Christ came and was crucified. The effects of that act were realized in God’s mind from the beginning, and yet the full effects within the stream of time are yet ahead. How do we know this is correct? Because the book is written, and it details what the final glory which lies ahead will be like. Thank God that we have a sure hope because of Christ who makes all things new!

Life application: The author tells us that what is being shaken is that which has been created. This doesn’t mean there was something wrong with the creation, but fault resulted because of our actions. For example, a house may be made of wood; there is nothing wrong with the wood, but the way it’s used may be faulty. That which is created, then, can be applied to the building blocks we assemble. That can be through materials, such as for the house, or through teachings, such as faulty doctrine in a denomination. That which is faulty will be shaken “so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” As Jesus is eternal, not created, He cannot be shaken –

“You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. world.” John 8:23

And again –

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’” John 18:36

Following our faith in Jesus to its logical conclusion where proper faith, in Him, will never be shaken –

“For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’”  Romans 10:11

Therefore, that which “cannot be shaken” includes our faith in the Rock of our salvation – faith in Jesus Christ. All other systems of religion, all other philosophies, all other attempts to stand righteous before God, all of these things will be shaken. By the very fact that they are faulty, they will be removed. Hold fast to your faith in Christ Jesus which is worth more than anything else in this fallen world, which is set to be shaken.

Lord God, You have brought us from total separation from You to complete harmony with You. And it has been accomplished – from beginning to end – by You. It is through Christ that the world has been reconciled to You. Soon, all that fails to measure up in this test of grace through faith will be removed. Help us to share this simple and yet all-important message while there is still time. And Lord God, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.