EVERYBODY NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT Ive often thought of encouragement like I do certain luxury options on a car: nice to have but probably not all that necessary. Yet Scripture takes a much different view. Encouragement isnt optional. Its a necessity. In fact, its something were commanded to do. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, were told to encourage each other and build each other up. And Hebrews 3:13 tells us to But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (KJV). Get that? Daily. Not monthly. Not weekly. Not occasionally. Every single day. Why do we tend to relegate encouragement to optional status? What is the real purpose and value of encouragement? How is biblical encouragement different from just saying nice things? Key Bible Verse: Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, KJV) Dig Deeper: 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 Pauls ministry was one of consistent encouragement. Paul commended the believers for what they were doing well. He exhorted them to press on in faithfulness to Christ. And he offered counsel amid the challenges they were facing and those that he knew would come. All three of Pauls actions listed above are linked: encouragement, exhortation, and counsel. They come from the same root word, the Greek verb parakaleo. All three forms of encouragement can be used by God to move a Christ follower successfully along the path to maturity. Sometimes [were called to] inspire. Other times, a word of truth is necessary. And still other times, a caring word of comfort is needed. This is why Gerald Sittser believes theres great significance in Pauls multipurpose perspective on encouragement: If believers flag in zeal and lose heart, we exhort them. If they struggle with a problem and stumble in their walk with God, we build them up. If they face loss and disappointment, we comfort them. There are many ways to apply this command [to encourage each other] because there are many ways our spiritual engines get run down Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. (Proverbs 12:18) Dig Deeper: Proverbs 10:11, 20-21; 16:24 Encouragement is a tool that chisels away imperfections in the clay that is your life and mine. Its the spoken word, the typed email, the handwritten note that is meant for personal growth. Its anything from a quick phrase to a 45-minute sermon
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 11:16:37 +0000
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