Encouragement
Real Encouragement
Category: Encouragement
Encouragement. We all need it; we all need to give it. It is a command. And in a world in which bad means good and cool describes anything and everything, it is necessary to state precisely what we mean when we say encouragement.
We gain a clue to the meaning by simply looking at the word itself. The root is courage. A person of courage is a person who is brave in the face of opposition. He displays a dauntless spirit in the face of adversity. Danger and oppression do not cause a courageous person to run away, rather, he stays the course no matter what looms ahead. Like David taking on Goliath (or the lions and bears, for that matter), a man or woman of courage will meet the enemy head on, expecting to finish on top.
To en-courage is to in-courage, that is, to provoke courage in someone. The idea is to help a person who is up against it to be able to stand firm and move forward.
This is in stark contrast to the colloquial understanding in which people equate encouragement with making others feel good. Complimenting a woman's new hair style is a long way from the biblical concept of encouragement. Expressing flattery to others is easy; finding words which truly inspire valor is another matter.
Christians encounter fierce winds around virtually every corner and are in constant need of encouragement from those who understand the struggle to persevere in faith and righteousness. Every believer is called to make it part of his or her ambition to instill strength of mind, heart, and will in his fellows.
Consider Encouragement
Category: Encouragement
One passage of Scripture stands out with its clear instruction regarding encouragement. In the tenth chapter of Hebrews we read:
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And 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 10:23-25).
Several comments deserve to be made. First, we see the command to "hold fast" our confession. Faith is not something we simply do. It is a perpetual trust in the person and work of Christ. It must endure to the end if it is to have benefit for us on the Last Day. Our hope is not in a one-time decision we made at some point in the past, our hope is in the living, risen Lord Jesus Christ, and we must persist in clinging to Him alone. If we let go of Him, we will plunge into the abyss, and no previous faith will trump present unbelief.
Second, we have a responsibility to help each other hold fast. Without the aid and prompting of other believers, any of us can easily slip into selfish ambition neglecting to obey Christ. Without regular interaction with fellow believers, we will be drowned in the deadly waters of the world. Or we will find ourselves slowly drifting away at sea ending up a great distance from, and out of sight of, the Lighthouse.
The author tells us that we are to consider how to stimulate others to love and good deeds. That means that encouragement should not be something we stumble onto accidently. We are told to give careful thought to how we can help other believers hold fast to their faith and serve their Lord and Savior. The outcome of such intentional consideration would be that we actively and purposefully help others press on in faith in the midst of many obstacles, pressures, and temptations. Far from mere flattery, this kind of encouragement gives life to its recipients (see Proverbs 18:21).
Third, this is the stated purpose of meeting together. And, meeting together with believers is not an option. It is a command.
Now, this certainly includes Sunday morning corporate worship services, but it is not limited to them. Christians ought to get together regularly. We all need it. If you have been thinking about having a family or two over for dinner, but have hesitated due to fear of rejection (or any other reason), I urge you to set aside your discomfort and go for it. The revealed word of God tells us that we all need to spend time with other believers. Believe God, not your inner feelings. Both you and the other family will be happy you did. As busy as life can be, I have never left the home of Christian friends thinking, Gee, that was a royal waste of time. I always leave knowing that it was good for my soul to be in the presence of other believers.
Neglecting to assemble together has been the downfall of many Christians. Again, it is not a suggestion from sacred Scripture, it is a requirement. And its benefits cannot be overstated.