Day2
Week 18
Hebrews 13
”Identify with those who are in prison as though you were there suffering with them, and those who are mistreated as if you could feel their pain.“
Hebrews 13:3 TPT
Matthew 25:36;
Colossians 4:18
Identify
The writer lived in a period of time when Christians were being imprisoned and tortured, even killed for their faith in Jesus.
The ask to identify with or empathize with the prisoner and the mistreated person in this context was specifically referring to their brothers and sisters in the faith; however since Hebrews 13:2 from yesterday referred to kindness to strangers, it is inferred that we are also to identify or empathize with strangers outside of the faith community.
Those who do not know Jesus as their Savior are not only strangers, but are spiritually imprisoned and in chains.
Many times they are mistreated by the religious culture and are suffering.
Remember when you were living in sin, a stranger on the outside?
The world today is having an identity crisis in mass proportions.
Confusion about gender, sexuality and truth has so many people imprisoned.
Imagine the pain, shame, ridicule and suffering that these confused, imprisoned individuals are facing.
All sinners are imprisoned, but a lot of sin is accepted in worldly cultures. Some sin unfortunately is accepted even in Christian communities, such as gluttonous behavior or gossip and judgement.
We are to identify with those chained by sin.
Remember that we were once chained.
Did Jesus set you free by judgement or compassion?
Jesus loved the sinner out of me!
What about you?
The writer isn’t asking us to accept sin. We are being asked to identify with where we once were(separated from God)even if their chains look different than ours did.
We are to show kindness and love to those who are still in chains.
Action Step
What words, images or phrases stood out to you in today’s study time?
Spend a few moments thinking about it and write down what comes to mind. (Share a comment)
Ask Holy Spirit to minister to you throughout your day and show you someone who needs your love today.
Click the link below and listen to the lyrics of this song closely.
Комментарии