In a scary and uncertain world, the importance of building up our Christian brothers and sisters is essential. We often feel alone and think our work for Christ is so small that it is unnecessary. Maybe we feel that we are unnecessary. Sometimes, we feel like Christian failures. The Bible stresses the importance of encouraging one another "towards love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24-25). This is one reason we are called to meet together. These verses remind us that encouraging each other becomes even more crucial as we see the Day approaching—the Day of the Lord's return.
Encourage One Another
Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that the Lord didn't give us a spirit of fear but of love, power and self-control. We are called to share that spirit and encourage one another. More than ever, Christians today need this encouragement.
Hope In The Lord
When we have hope in the Lord, we are called on to be strong and take heart (Psalm 31:24). Serving the Lord is no easy matter. Culturally, we won't fit in and we may seem like misfits out of step with the majority of the world. Because of this we will endure criticism and opposition. We need the Lord's strength to endure. Our hope is in Him. We can help each other endure by uplifting each other.
Our Help Comes From The Lord
Psalm 121:1-2 says that our help comes from the Lord. The literal maker of the Heavens and the Earth reaches down to us, individually, to help us. He is not a distant God who abandons us; He is our Father, and we are His family. He longs to comfort us if we allow Him. With God's help, the prayers of His people, and their love and support we can face our fears.
Honor Others Above Yourself
Romans 12:10 instructs us to "be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." We should love each other first and then those in the world. What example do we set when we fail to love each other? Do we place others before ourselves, honor people only when it's convenient, or go the extra mile to show that we consider others more important than ourselves?
Build Up Your Neighbors
In Romans 15:2, Paul calls on us to please our neighbors for their good, to build up our neighbors. Have you ever had a down day and a kind friend, a good neighbor reached out, even in a very small way to make your day easier. Paul reminds us that we do this not to build ourselves up but to build them up. As Christians, it isn't supposed to be about us; it's supposed to be about others.
The Church Should Encourage Each Other
In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul commends the church for building up and encouraging each other. What kind of church family would it be that criticized each other or made someone feel like their contributions weren't of value? Doesn't the world do that to us on a daily basis? It takes encouragement to be a successful Christian. It can be depressing when we fail or sin, and we may feel alone in our failures. We need encouragement to do better. We need reminding that we can be forgiven. We need lifting up.
Your Faith Story Encourages Others
Romans 1:11-12 says that we should be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Our faith stories can make us stronger. When we share our faith journey, we become closer, seeing the marvelous ways God has shown love, performed miracles, offered forgiveness, and extended grace in the lives of others.
Even The Young Can Be An Example
According to 1 Timothy 4:12, no matter our age, we can be an example to others. Even in our youth, when others see us acting like a Christian should, loving the unlovable, behaving purely, and growing in faith-it encourages others to follow Christ. It can encourage fellow believers in their efforts to be more Christ-like.
Bear Each Other's Burdens
Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:2 to bear each other's burdens. When we see our brother or sister suffering--whether it is financially, in sickness, or in circumstances out of their control--we are expected to step in and help carry the load. This is how the world sees us as different. We don't run from our brothers and sisters in Christ when they have problems; we help them bear the heavy load.
Forgive and Love
Ephesians 4:32 instructs us to show compassion, forgiveness and love to each other because God Himself forgave us in Christ. How can we be cold and unforgiving to others when we realize what God has given to us so undeservedly. Biblical compassion is the ability to empathize with others. We truly should be able to feel their pain.
Show Hospitality
Hospitality is often a lost art today. When people are hospitable, it is often to show what a kind person they are. It becomes about them. Biblical hospitality, however, is about contributing to each other's needs in love (Romans 12:13) and in 1 Peter 4:9 we are told to do so without complaining. We can't be hospitable while whining that it cost us time or money or that the person we are helping never helps us in return. Our hospitality should even be to strangers (Hebrews 13:2), not just to our good friends.
Jesus and His disciples are repeatedly shown practicing hospitality. We see this in Luke 5:29 at Levi's house, in Luke 10:38 at Mary and Martha's home, in Luke 19:5-7 at Zacchaeus's house, and in Luke 24:29 on the road to Emmaus. In Matthew, we see it in 8:14-15 at Peter's mother-in-law's house and in Matthew 26:6-7 as Jesus is anointed in Bethany.
In Luke 14, Jesus was invited to the home of an important Pharisee on a Sabbath. Several valuable lessons were taught that day, including the importance of the guests showing humility and not seeking honor, and the importance of not just inviting friends and important neighbors who can repay you.
"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14: 13-14
These verses show how important hospitality was to Jesus. We benefit in many ways from sharing a meal together. We can build each other up and we can share love with those who perhaps feel the most unloved. Just as Jesus has invited us to His banquet table despite our spiritual poverty and blindness to His love, we can share our earthly table with those in need and perhaps share Jesus with them.
Paul Is A Role Model
One purpose of Paul's letters to the churches was to encourage and build up these young congregations. He reminds us to show love as it was shown to us and where our strength and hope come from. Paul is a role model for how we should treat others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Paul's Prayer
Let us pray the prayer that Paul did in Romans 15:5-6,
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
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