July 12, Encourage

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Have you ever considered that you are to be genuinely concerned with the spiritual well-being of others in the community of faith? The phrase from Hebrews 10:24, “spur one another on” indicates such a concern. How much do you notice the faith journey of those close to you?  And, have you paused to realize that you have the responsibility to spur others on (to encourage their life as a Christ follower)?  

I love that this mutual encouragement of God’s people becomes insisted upon within the public gatherings.  As we are told to “spur” one another on, the living context for this genuine incitement of faithfulness becomes the public worship experience. There are those who would argue that the phrase, “do not give up meeting together” can indicate a more general reference to the society of Christians in general, and not necessarily an actual public gathering.  But such an argument is easily dismissed as the noun, gathering or assembling, is used in only one other place in the New Testament, and the meaning is clearly “a specific physical gathering and coming together” (2 Thessalonians 2:1).  The verb, to gather, is used some six times in the synoptic gospels, and each reference clearly defines physically coming together.  So, within our call to encourage one another toward ever increasing faithfulness to Jesus (“spur one another on”), the emphasis lies upon the context of those gathered believers.  Therefore, we have two facts that encourage us with this invaluable responsibility.  

First, such concern for others should become the norm within the church.  How intentional are you with the gathering so that you can fulfill the call to encourage others in his or her own journey of the Christian faith?  

Second to worshipping Jesus, our desire to gather should be to passionately encourage others. The tense of the verb “encourage” reveals ongoing activity, and this should define our commitment to reach across the small group, the classroom, the worship area, or the sanctuary.  We must with great intention continually encourage those with whom we gather.   And not just those we know well or those we already know, but all with whom we worship.   I assure you that someone needs your smile, your greeting, your appreciation, and your word of encouragement.  Someone needs this from you, for no one can encourage exactly as you encourage. 

Second (from the phrase, “all the more as you see the day approaching"), we must feel an intense urgency to encourage one another in the faith.  This call to spur one another along is not simply a call to casually speak a good word into the lives of others if given an opportunity.  The call is one of extreme urgency. The “day approaching” represents the day of Christ’s return, and the final days of all things on earth. This should incite a spirit of urgency.  The days are growing more and more evil (2 Timothy 3:13).  “We should redeem the time (make the most of every opportunity) for the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).  This is not a time for casual Christianity or casual church membership. We must encourage one another.  This will always remain as the urgent necessity of relationships within the church.  This is the “great necessity” of the church at this very moment.      

So today – right now, consider how you will prioritize the personal calling upon your life to encourage the faith of others.  The gathering may look different, and perhaps even feel different than before.  But gathering becomes the intended context of mutual encouragement.  Let’s recommit our lives at this moment to the spiritual welfare of those around us.  Let's spur one another on within the gathering.  Let’s celebrate our journey forward as God leads His church for the glory of Jesus Christ. 

Blessings.