The Responsibility to Encourage

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

As two young Chinese women walked down the street, they heard singing coming from a building. Believers had gathered and were praising God. The two women stopped and listened for a moment, and then moved on. One, however, was forever changed. From that moment on, she was drawn to the Lord. Her friend wasn’t. That friend heard the same singing, and yet, was unaffected. But the other began seeking the Lord and soon became a believer. This true story shows the power of the Lord to draw His own. It also shows the importance of the fellowship of believers. 

In Hebrews 10:24-25, the writer exhorts his readers (us!) to do two things: consider and continue. He challenges believers to continue meeting together. As we meet together, we inspire worship of our Lord. We inspire one another toward love and good deeds. We inspire faith in unbelievers. 

When Hebrews was written, some believers had stopped meeting with the church. The inspired writer understood the difficulty of walking alone. Believers who follow Jesus arm in arm with other believers are strengthened in difficulty and inspired in holiness. Right now, some cannot physically meet with other believers, but you can still gain strength by staying in touch with other believers. 

The writer of Hebrews also challenges believers to consider—consider how to encourage others and spur them toward love and good deeds. This challenge causes me to question: How often before going to church do I reflect on ways I can encourage another believer?  Do I mistakenly think the pastor and teachers are to do the encouraging and forget my own responsibility? How am I using the other six days of my week to encourage fellow believers? What about you? 

Lord, train us to continually consider ways to encourage others.

Jan Burkhart