Encourage One Another

When you get together with other Christians, perhaps after a church service, what do you talk about?

News? Family? Work? Health? Weather? Politics?

It's perfectly reasonable to talk to one another about the ordinary, everyday things that concern us, but should these be the only things we talk about?

In Hebrews 10 v 25 we read:

"… let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

I Thessalonians 5 v 11 reads:

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up …"

What does it mean to encourage one another?

If you look at these and other New Testament passages you find that encouragement is often associated with important Biblical truths - and how they are applied.

For example:

We encourage ...

when we speak of Christ's perfect sacrifice for sin
Hebrews 10 v 1-25

We are reminded in Hebrews that through Christ's perfect sacrifice we have been made holy; we have been given a new heart, a new hope and we have a living relationship with God. These are truths that encourage us to persevere.

We encourage ...

when we speak of the supremacy of Jesus
Hebrews 3 v 1 - 14

When we are reminded of the supremacy of Jesus; God's faithful son - our brother, and the author of our salvation, it strengthens our faith in Him and encourages us to be steadfast in our belief.

We encourage ...

when we speak of the salvation we have received through Jesus
1 Thessalonians 5 v 1-11

Jesus died for us, "so that ... we may live together with him."(v10) When we speak to one another about our salvation and our life in Christ, we encourage one another to be faithful and to live godly lives.

We encourage ...

when we remind each other that Jesus is coming again
1 Thessalonians 4 v 13-18

There is great hope, comfort and encouragement for every believer in knowing that one day "we will be with the Lord for ever."(v17)

These are all truths that motivate us to keep our eyes focused on the Lord and encourage us to live godly, holy and consistent lives.

The work of encouragement is not only for those who are specially gifted, (Rom 12 v 8) nor is it only for those who preach and teach. (Titus 1v 9)

Encouragement is a task for every single believer

So as you chat to other believers after a church service, wherever and whenever you meet together …

"… encourage one another"
(Hebrews 10 v 25)