Serve those who suffer physically for their faith

Hebrews 13:3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. We are encouraged today by another way to offer service to God as an expression of gratitude for His giving us an unshakable kingdom. It is assumed that the prisoners in view here were fellow members of the kingdom, who had been imprisoned for their faith. We know from Heb. 10:32-34 that some of their number were imprisoned and ill-treated, and from verse 1, the author encouraged them to let their love continue. “But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.” So the original readers knew they were being urged to keep up their ministry of service to their brothers and sisters who had been ill-treated and imprisoned for their faith. It’s easy to forget someone who is out of sight, such as someone in prison. These have suffered the loss of physical comfort in the body. They are suffering physically, and perhaps the best way to be motivated to love and care for our brothers and sisters who are suffering is to put ourselves in their place, so to speak. We should think about how we would feel if we were also suffering in the body like they suffer. I don’t believe visiting those who are in prison for crimes they committed against others is what the author had in mind. However, we do have brothers and sisters who have come to Christ once they were incarcerated. If we stop to think how we would feel in their shoes, or in their bodies, it might motivate us to show our gratitude to God for His love by visiting them in prison to encourage them in their suffering. This isn’t quite as relevant to us today, so we may need to grasp the principle so we can apply it. When we hear of anyone suffering or being ill-treated for their faith, we ought first to remember them in prayer. Second, let’s look for ways we can encourage them from the Scriptures to endure to the end in faith, specifically from Heb. 12:1-15. That may be with an email, text, phone call, or an in-person visit. The main encouragement we receive today as we live to love is this: If we know of someone who is suffering for their faith, let’s not forget them; rather, let’s ask Jesus how He wants us to pray for and encourage them. I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.