Encouragment: Receiving the weak and burdened, helping others grow
There are several words that describe encouragement: Admonish; Exhort;
Strengthen; Inspire; Help; etc. As Christians, we must become bastion of
encouragement, just like Barnabas (Acts 4, vs. 36). In God’s kingdom there
are no 1 ‘~ or 2nd Class citizens, neither is there segregation. Therefore,
it is the duty of Christians to receive all fellow citizens of God’s kingdom.
including those we perceive to be weak in faith (Romans 15, vs. 1 &
2). In order to strengthen another brethren, the Christian needs to have
a personal relationship with God, and be in the right standing with God.
For we cannot give what we do not have. Encouragement can be applied both
positively and negatively (Psalm 64, vs 5; Matt 12, vs. 35), and a Christian
can only strengthen other brethren through the power of the Holy Spirit.
A Christian must not parade his/her faith, but practice it ~vith all humility
and love There will always be situations when brethren who go astray need
to be corrected. and such correction must be prompted and carried out with
love. Faith and love are inseparable couple in the life of a Christian
(1 Thes. 1, vs. 3; Gal 5 vs. 6; Eph. 1, vs. 15). We must pursue things
that make for peace, and the things by which one may edify another. Question:
In what situations could a weaker brethren admonish a more spiritually-mature
brethren?
Admonishing one another:
We must not judge the faults of others as resulting from wickedness.
Instead we should consider it a weakness when lapses occur (Romans 15,
vs. 1-2). We all have our individual weaknesses, and stand in need of God’s
strength to make perfect in weakness. The degree of weakness varies from
one person to another. Therefore, we must not be harsh on the weak and
faltering brethren (Gal. 6, vs. 1-2). Brethren must also continue to pray
for brethren who back slide (2 Thes. 3, vs 14 & 15). Teach others lovingly
and patiently to grow in faith. Just speaking the truth does not guarantee
help and blessing to those who hear. Truth must however be spoken in love,
with all understanding and concern (Epb. 4, vs. 15). The aim of speaking
the truth is to make the hearer grow in the Lord, and not draw away. Jesus
rebuked and corrected, but His words were full of love and grace.
Question: In what ways could Christians become effective in restoration
of back-sliders?
How can we truly encourage one another?
We are in a world of pain, suffering and need. God blesses us to bless
others. We must always try to assist the needy. Never stop extending a
helping hand to others, particularly to brethren of the household of Christ
(Roms 12, vs. 13, James 2, vs. 14-16). We must share the joy of the spirit
with other brethren through praise and worship (Eph. 5, vs 19). The New
Testament passages of our glorious inheritance in Christ must become a
regular subject of conversation amongst citizens of God’s kingdom. Christians
must show good examples in their daily lives, at work, family gatherings
and social events. We must encourage our children and younger believers
by our examples (1 Thes 2, vs 10). As brethren, we must exhort one another
daily (Heb 3, vs. 12 - 13). Heaven will be a place of appreciation and
compliments, and we must learn to honour others above ourselves (Romans
12, vs. 10). We lose nothing by appreciating, but the one who is appreciated
gains a lot. We often wrongly think that appreciation makes people feel
proud. Even when we know we can do a particular job better than the other
person, it is spiritual maturity to express appreciation for what someone
else has done (Phil 2, vs. 3). Praise is the language of heaven -start
practising it now! Question: Is it really necessary to encourage one another?
Conclusion: Let our private and public life glorify God,, and bring
others to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus. By so doing, we shall
keep the faith and achieve a glorious end when we stand before our God
on judgement day (Malt 25, vs. 31-40)