In this concluding chapter, we need to still remember the context the believers were in. They were undergoing persecution. Besides having their properties seized and being imprisoned, they were facing the real probability of losing their lives for the sake of the gospel.

The previous chapter highlighted the discipline of the loving heavenly Father who was preparing the believers to share His holiness and to enter into the heavenly city they were looking for. In that light, they were exhorted to have a pilgrim spirit and not to be too disturbed with what was passing away but to focus on what is eternal and privileged.

With this background, the believers were reminded to continue to love the brethren. With various ones losing their homes and being imprisoned, love must take on a practical role. It would mean being hospitable to those who need shelter, food and encouragement; it would involve empathy and unselfish kindness to the brethren who were suffering for their faith. Remember, we are running the race together. As one body in Christ, we are to carry one another’s burdens and to support those who are weak, needy and discouraged.

In line with the pilgrim spirit, believers were urged to be holy and to maintain purity in marriage and sexual relationship. Also, pilgrims travel light. As such, they should not allow greed for money and material things to hamper them in their pilgrimage. Instead, they were to be contented with what God had provided. God is backing the believers with His unconditional promise not to forsake them or abandon them. He will always be their helper. The unchanging character and faithfulness of Christ Jesus is the guarantee for all believers in the Lord. Therefore, they need not fear but can be bold and courageous.

The believers were exhorted to remember the faithful leaders who had gone before them and to imitate their faith. There should be no entertaining of strange and false teachings designed to lead them astray and to turn back from the Lord. They were also urged to remember their present leaders and to submit to them so that they could fulfil their responsibilities with joy, for they had to give an account to God for their roles.

As pilgrims, they must be prepared to suffer with the Lord Jesus who had suffered for them at the cross, “outside the camp”, to go through these trials joyfully with hearts of thanksgiving and worship. Jesus, the great shepherd would lead them and equip them to do His will, to do good works and to finally bring them to the lasting heavenly city.