Thursday, December 19, 2024

Encourage Each Other

"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25

This we need to do daily, encouraging the brothers and sisters in the faith to act with love toward all: the brethren (John 13:34), other people (Mark 12:31), and our enemies (Matt. 5:43-48). We are not to be violent, and we do not return evil for evil! Jesus calls us to be non-violent, non-resistant, and also non-conformist (not to become like the world). His Kingdom is one of peace!

"Not neglecting to meet together" does not refer to attending organized religious institutions! That is eisegesis, reading into the text and imposing upon it. It is the gathering of the saints, in whatever capacity, even if only “two or three,” commonly done in households!

"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ... Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:1-2, 16

Do you love others like this? Jesus commanded us to love one another (the brethren; John 13:34), our neighbours (Mark 12:31), and our enemies (Matt. 5:43-48). If you do not know who your 'neighbour' is, I suggest you go read the account of the Good Samaritan to find out who your neighbour is. You neighbour is every other person on the face of this planet.

By stirring each other up "to love and good works," we are constantly encouraging each other (against the natural tendencies of our flesh) to love others, even when they have hurt us or are hurting us. We are to forgive others just as Yahweh God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus. If we are being persecuted, we are to encourage each other to follow the path of love, just as Jesus did. What we may suffer here is fleeting in comparison with eternity.

Whenever we gather together with fellow believers in Christ, “as iron sharpens iron” (Prov. 27:17a), we should be speaking words of encouragement, words of insight, words of wisdom, and words of challenge. It is the greatest gift we can give each other.