Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Hebrews, Chapter 13, Verse 6

Thus we may say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper, [and] I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?”

The word “Thus” indicates that to not be afraid we must know the Lord is our helper and do as verses 1-5 indicate; which list step that tell us how to continue in mutual love. In fact the opposite of fear is not courage but love.

Paul indicates the following ways of living to be a person of love or charity.

•  In all that you do be an agent of hospitality. That is to be generous. Even the poor can be rich in their praise and love of others. Share not only your time, talent and treasure but truly give of yourself to others of your intellect, emotional support, and physical presence. A good guide is the spiritual works of mercy: instruct the ignorant; counsel the doubtful; admonish sinners; bear wrongs patiently; forgive offences willingly; comfort the afflicted; pray for the living and the dead.
• Do what you can to free others of their prisons whether these are self-imposed i.e. addictions or through ignorance. A good guide is the corporal works of mercy: feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; harbor the harbor-less; visit the sick; ransom the captive; bury the dead.
• Marriage is the physical reality of our souls marriage to God through the Holy Spirit; therefore. If married love and honor your wife; be chase in spirit whether married or single knowing that marriage is the physical sign of your union with God. Disdain any kind of defilement sexually.
• Avoid the love of money. Seek simplicity and contentment. Treat all the wealth you have as if it were Gods; on loan to you to build the Kingdom; which it is. You can do this if you know and trust God will never forsake you or abandon you.

Continuing in love means to seek the good of the other as other.