9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.  10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Hebrews 13:9-10

Explain

Here is yet another command in this text. It is a command to avoid “divers and strange doctrines”. This would include anything that was contrary to scripture. It also would include anything taught as God’s will that wasn’t mentioned in scripture- rules and edicts of man that are not found in the Word of God. He tells them not to be ruled by those kinds of teaching. False teaching is condemned throughout the scripture, and is as relevant today for us to do as it ever has been.

The kinds of rules that showed up to the Hebrews in the days of this writing were around dietary laws. He contrasts in this verse being established by grace rather than by meats. The idea is that the altar at which Christ was sacrificed and the grace he has provided is far superior to the altar and the sacrifices of bulls and goats could ever provide. Our relationship with God is established on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ, and through faith in Him we have access to this grace that is provided by God. This establishes our hearts in a way that legalism and rule keeping could never do.

Apply

Here are a few points of application summarized from the verses.

• Be careful of false teaching, and mark false teachers.
• Be careful that when you speak on God’s behalf, you say no more than what He has said. 
• Be grateful to God for His sacrifice, and serve Him obediently because you’ve been saved, not in order to be saved.
• Be careful not to use grace as an opportunity to sin. God paid a high price for my redemption.

Respond

Heavenly Father, today I believe it is important for me to be repentant. I need the grace that can only be found in Christ, and not in adhering to non-biblical lists of rules. Help me to live for you today in sincerity and with pure motives. Amen.