Here’s a quick list of ways we can daily live our lives to glorify God. This list comes from Hebrews 13:1-6. These verses largely put hands and feet on Hebrews 12:28 where the author urges us to “offer to God acceptable worship.”
1 Let brotherly love continue. – Love other believers.
Literally, let philadelphia continue. The term means “brotherly love” or and refers specifically towards affection between believers.
As believers, we are all children of God, and thus, part of his family. We should love one another as family.
The apostle John emphasizes this a bit more bluntly when he said, “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness..But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:9-11).
Gal. 6:10 – “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
The author of Hebrews emphasizes that brotherly love is something to be maintained, preserved, or guarded.
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. – Demonstrate extraordinary kindness to those you don’t know.
“Travel was difficult in the first century and inns were not always the safest place to be. To open one’s home to a travelling stranger evidenced brotherly love and was considered a high virtue by Jews and Gentiles alike. Mutual support among the early Christians would have been vital for maintaining the solidarity of new believers as well as aiding in the missionary expansion of the church.” – David L. Allen, Hebrews, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010), 607.
The author illustrates the importance of hospitality by referencing Genesis chapters 18-19.
“Abraham entertained mysterious strangers who were in reality angels. The principle here teaches us that it is better to treat needy guests as messengers from God than to risk offending them by an inhospitable act. Messengers from God brought a greater blessing than they received. Whoever entertained a servant of the Lord entertained the Lord himself (Matt. 25:44–45).” Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 236.
3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. – Don’t neglect believers who are suffering, especially those who suffer because of their faith.
“This verse changes the focus to those imprisoned and abused for their faith (cf. 10:34). Imprisoned believers could easily be forgotten and neglected. We need to identify and help those imprisoned and mistreated for their Christian commitment. Such help could involve bringing food, providing warm clothing for life in damp, moldy cells, and making personal visits of encouragement. One day we could face the same experiences of suffering. Thus, we need to focus on the sufferers as if we ourselves were the victims of suffering.” Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 236.
We should support them because we are all part of the body of Christ.
4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. – Show marriage to be meaningful
“Here the author places a high priority on the sanctity and inviolability of the marriage bond. The New Testament affirms the Old Testament’s revelation concerning the divine origination of marriage. The first statement, “Marriage should be honored by all,” places special focus on the word translated “honored” by its fronted position in the clause. The word itself means to highly esteem and respect. This general statement about honoring marriage is followed by a more narrowed focus on the sanctity of the sexual relationship in marriage: “and609 the marriage bed kept pure.” This phrase refers to sexual intercourse within marriage, meaning husbands and wives should remain sexually faithful to one another and to their marriage vows.” David L. Allen, Hebrews, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010), 609.
Two aspects of this verse are important. In general, we should defend and promote a biblical view of marriage. This can be political, but also in our personal lives. Don’t cheapen marriage by redefining it to be something it isn’t. Don’t cheapen it by degrading your spouse. Second, we dance with the one that brought us. If the two become one flesh…it should remain that way.
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Chase God more than you chase things.
Materialism never satisfies. There’s always someone with a nicer home, job, car, etc. What we need more than things, is God himself. Enjoy Him.
6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?” – Walk by faith.
Two dangers, anxiety and fear, often times are the biggest enemies of faith. Know that God is involved in your life, caring, providing, and guiding you.