We Need To Remember

A Bible student should try to retain as much of the Scriptures as he can.  No doubt that takes work and effort (2 Tim. 2:15).  We are told that each chapter and verse of the Bible is given by inspiration of God and is useful (2 Tim. 3:16).  With that being stated, we sometimes find explicit commands that readers are told to “remember”.  For this study, let us notice some of those instances from the book of Hebrews.

In the last chapter of the book, the inspired writer of Hebrews mentions, “Let brotherly continue.  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:  for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:1-2).  Christians should remember to be hospitable.  This principle is taught throughout the New Testament.  One of the qualifications of elders is to be “given to hospitality”/“a lover of hospitality (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8).  Likewise, widows that are “taken into the number” are to be ones who is “Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work” (1 Tim. 5:10).  Although those are specifically mentioned, hospitality is to be a part of every Christian’s life.  The brethren in Rome were told to be “given to hospitality” as well (Rom. 12:13).  Also, Peter instructed, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Pet. 4:9).  Christians today should be just as involved in hospitality as those who practiced such in the first century.  We need to remember.

Next, the Hebrews’ writer stated, “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Heb. 13:3).  Sadly, some Christians are imprisoned and/or physically harmed for being faithful.  This has happened at different times and in different places.  Sometimes we might only be able to visit or write to our brethren in such situations.  That encouragement and showing of love can be invaluable to another.  Consider when Paul was under house arrest.  He was blessed to have visitors (Acts 28:30-31).  Also, near the end of his life Paul wrote, “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:  But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me (2 Tim. 1:16-17).  Since every part of the body, the church, is connected, when one of our brethren suffers, the body as a whole suffers (1 Cor. 12:26; Rom. 12:15).  We need to remember.

Later in the letter the writer of Hebrews wrote, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God:  whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Heb. 13:7).  This time the author mentions spiritual leaders.  This is indicated by the fact that they had spoken unto them the Word of God and lived faithful lives.  This same group of spiritual leaders is mentioned later in the seventeenth verse.  There it is recorded, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:  for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief:  for that is unprofitable for you (Heb. 13:17).  There is only one group of Christian men today that “rule” over other brethren.  That would be the elders/bishops.  These men should indeed be great examples of faithfulness to the other brethren.  Peter mentioned, “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:1-3).  Christians should never take elders for granted.  If a congregation is blessed to have faithful men in that capacity, then it should live in ways that show appreciation and obedience.  We need to remember.

As was mentioned earlier, the Bible should be diligently studied.  That study will help us learn the things that God wants us to know.  While short in length, this article shows certain things that each child of God should remember.
~ Corey Barnette