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Articles
We Need One Another
“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” - Hebrews 3:13
“Now we exhort (encourage) you brethren to warn the unruly, and to comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Some tend to think that it is only the unruly who need warning and only the fainthearted and weak who are in need of encouragement and patience, but where are those limitations in the above verses? There are some who think that it is only the elders and preacher who do the warning and encouraging, but where are those limitations in the above verses?
The Hebrew writer wrote – “…so that none of you will be hardened…” and the apostle Paul addressed his admonition to “brethren.” Therefore, all Christians are called to do warn and encourage one another. All Christians need one another!
We know that Satan is not a respecter of persons. He moved David to number Israel (1 Chronicles 21:1). He tempted our Lord (Matthew 4:1-11). While Paul spent a lot of time encouraging many different congregations, he also needed encouragement. Paul understood the power of sin and how he must keep his body in subjection lest while he preached to others that he might become a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Preachers spend a great deal of time encouraging those in the congregation. Some find it difficult to understand that he also needs encouragement. He has the same make up as the rest of the folks in the congregation. He has the same discouragements plus a few added which come with the territory.
Elders share many of the same concerns that the preacher has for the congregation. The elders are not different from the rest of us, but the same. When one serves as an elder, there is not a day which goes by that he does not think about the church in one way or another. The Hebrew writer wrote – “…Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17b).
The unruly Christian needs to be warned of his trespasses and sins. The apostle Paul wrote – “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). The spiritually minded warns the unruly with the recognition that he/she can also be tempted.
The “spiritually minded” need to be encouraged also. There are those in the congregation who we all know will be in their seats every time the congregation assembles. Those who will only be absent because of circumstances beyond their control. We should not take these individuals for granted and ignore them, but rather they need to be focus of our encouragement and prayers. They need to feel loved, needed, and appreciated as much as everyone else who makes up the local congregation.
Not only do all Christians need encouragement, we need it NOW! Today is the day of salvation and we do not need to delay our encouragement for one another. It is the long suffering of God and His desire that none perish that we have even seen this day (2 Peter 3:9). We must not procrastinate or put off till tomorrow what should be accomplished today.
Our objective is not to pry in other folks’ business, but rather our goal should be to let our brethren know that we love and care about them. Take the time today to call someone and let them that we are thinking about them and praying for them.
We live in a culture that hinders togetherness. While technology has made things more convenient, it has also taken away the face-to-face contact that generations in the past enjoyed. However, we can still offer encouragement using the phone, “snail mail”, e-mail, texting, and yes, even personal contact whenever possible.
Encouraging one another is something that each member can accomplish and fulfill. There are many different ways to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ. One of the best ways we can encourage others is by consistently attending the assembly. We have experienced both the joy and encouragement that comes from being with one another on a weekly basis. We have also experienced the sadness and discouragement that comes when others are not with us on a consistent basis.
The work may be going well in the congregation, but this does not alleviate the discouragement we can experience in our everyday relationships. We all have family and friends that we are concerned about because of they have not obeyed the gospel. Everyone has problems and “ups and downs” in life, but what a wonderful thing God has given us in the family of God. We may be discouraged by the things in this world, but when we are together as brothers and sisters the concerns of this world are overcome by our shared faith and worship to God!
Our God is our refuge and rock. We can trust in Him in times of trouble and discouragement. We have been blessed by His grace and mercy. We have also been blessed with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need one another! We need encouragement. Thanks be to God for these wonderful spiritual and physical blessings.
