Week of July 21

The great Reformation leader, John Calvin, once wrote, “We can only be Christians if we are brethren” (EBC). I witnessed and received much love from numerous Christian brothers and sisters over the course of last week in Lagos, Nigeria. Friendships built over the years have remained strong through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am glad that today’s New Testament reading is in Hebrews 13 because this final chapter in the book offers us a picture of what genuine Christian love looks like. On the one hand, it is to show brotherly love toward those with whom we are vitally linked through our relationship with Jesus Christ (13:1; cf. Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9). On the other hand, it will also mean that we show love for strangers (13:2).

This focus on charity begs the question: “What is Christian love?” The author’s words seem extraordinarily poignant in our strife-torn churches. He answers his question by stating, “It involves showing special regard for the needs of fellow believers without concern for social or racial position” (HTNC; EBC). The author of Hebrews uses a verb that may be translated, “keep on loving each other.” How may this be done? We are to put love to work in the hard business of caring for people when life gets messy!

Evidently, in the face of all of the external hatred that the church faced, there were some church members who were neglecting internal relationships in the Body of Christ. They had initially shown one another extraordinary love in hardship, but, perhaps, they were flagging in their efforts at this point (10:33-34). Brotherly love indicates that these people were more than casually linked to one another. They were actually the “family of faith.” Their esteem for one another must be evident in their behavior toward their brothers and sisters in Christ. The author states how this was to be evident in their church fellowship.

Practice Christian hospitality. First, one practical demonstration of love is to be shown through hospitality to Christian workers. There were no hotels as we know them in that era, and they were often used for wicked purposes where they did exist. To show hospitality in one’s home was a declaration of friendship. I have noticed that many Christian homes display a greeting near or above the doorway. This practice is encouraging to me when I visit, but it is most meaningful when it is a quality of the people inside those homes (1 Timothy 3:2). The reference to angels calls attention to the heavenly visitors that Abraham entertained in Genesis 18-19 (HNTC; EBC). The principle being conveyed is simply to treat needy guests as messengers sent from God.
 
Go the second mile to care for others. We all may not be prison chaplains, but I believe the principle may still be observed. Those Hebrew Christians were to show brotherly love to those who were imprisoned and abused for their faith! “Bringing food,” “providing warm clothing,” and “making personal visits of encouragement” were helpful to those early Christian believers who had been unjustly incarcerated. I had not noticed the balance in the passage until it was brought to my attention. It is easy to show love when people come to us, but we are also exhorted to show charity by actively taking love to others (EBC)! Not all of us may have an occasion to touch directly the lives of jailed Christians, but we may exert every effort not to forget or neglect people who face a variety of severe challenges in their Christian walks. The underlying principle is to show tender compassion to those who suffer as if we ourselves were the ones suffering (HTNC).

A most unusual ride home from a Baptist meeting two years ago was returned in double measure today. Ours was the last flight out of Birmingham, Alabama, at the conclusion of the Baptist World Alliance meeting there. The flight was delayed several times, so we decided to rent a car and drive ten hours overnight back home to Texas. As we discussed our options, we became aware of a Nigerian gentleman who was in a similar predicament. He had to be in Dallas the next day. We did not know him, but we invited him to journey with us. I have only occasionally thought of that encounter in the time since that night.
 
Well, as it turns out, he is a prominent pastor in Lagos, and he greatly desired to repay the kind hospitality that we showed to him! He insisted upon driving us in his comfortable vehicle rather than permitting us to ride on crowded buses to a large Baptist gathering today in a distant city. It was a day filled with joy as he introduced us to many of his Nigerian friends. I was reminded that treating him as a needy guest from the Lord that dark night in Alabama was repaid in ways that I could never have imagined. He deeply blessed us, and Christ refreshed us today. I understand now that love given to others carries forward and blessings will ultimately return to encourage the heart. Open your heart and home to others and see how God will bless you.

1. Basic human interaction in this age of deep divide has too often become inflamed. Write down ways that you may open hearts in the wider community to the love of Christ by showing brotherly love and hospitality to others.
 
2. For Families: I, Larry Ashlock, believe it is important for children to witness genuine hospitality within their homes. Invite others to enjoy a meal and a time of fellowship. Invite your children to help you to prepare the home and the meal for your guests. Next, discuss and pray over someone who has fallen upon hard times to whom you and your children may show hospitality. Prepare care kits for a homeless person or bake and deliver cookies to a home bound church member. Teach your children the importance of showing respect and the love of Christ to all people.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock