HEBREWS 10:24-25 – 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.
THEME OF THE DAY. A MINISTRY FOR ALL. It is a ministry each of us can do. It requires little effort. The only restrictions are two. First, we must get our eyes off ourselves and our lives. And we must take action. We are required to do something and that something is only limited by our creativity and effort. This ministry? It is found in today’s scripture – the ministry of encouragement.
When it comes to the ministry of encouragement, we find three truths in today’s scripture helping us get a handle on the ministry itself; its goal, one of its actions, and its motivation.
First, to be active in the ministry of encouragement, we must take time and think about it – “And let us consider how”. Make the ministry of encouragement a regular part of our prayer life, asking God to place upon our hearts and minds individuals we may encourage. And then ask Him to guide us what that looks like; a card, phone call, email, coffee time, text, whatever . . . be creativity and be joyful as the Lord answers our prayers to be ministers of encouragement.
Next, remember the goal in the ministry of encouragement – “stir up one another to love and good works.” This is basically coming alongside other believers and energizing them (stirring them up) to greater obedience to the Lord. Here is an illustration of this ministry in action. Let’s say we are attending a Bible study or Sunday school class. Our teacher has been faithful in preparing and we have spiritually grown under the teaching. Now don’t think a teacher doesn’t need to be encouraged from time to time. He or she grows weary in this spiritual work. They are tempted to think “I am not making a difference.” They do become discouraged. Now enter our ministry of encouragement to “stir them up” as we let them know how much we appreciate and have grown under their teaching. This will “stir them up” to further study and diligence.
A third thing about the ministry of encouragement is do so not always at a distance – “not neglecting the meeting together as is the habit of some.” Cards, email, texts, and phone calls are nice, but being together is better. Don’t underestimate the power of faithfulness to church and other gatherings with Christians when it comes to encouraging one another. It cannot be consistently done if separate from one another. We cannot love at a distance and detached from one another.
Finally, the motivation to be active in the ministry of encouragement is the Day of Christ’s return and judgment – all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Today’s exhortation to encourage one another is a command. To be actively encouraging one another is not only our privilege and delight, but it is our responsibility and duty. This will be one of the commands we will give an account for on our personal day of judgment. And let the thought of standing before Jesus to be judged be a strong motivator to obey Him. The Bible says it is proper and right to be so motivated so don’t dismiss this as being legalistic. It is actually liberating to know God stands ready to reward faithfulness to His command to encourage His people. After all, doesn’t He encourage us and that quite often?
Encouragement is a ministry for all of us. It isn’t hard and it is very rewarding. May God encourage us to be in this ministry. It really is for all of us.
PRAYER: “Father, develop within me a deepening love for Your people that moves me to minister to Your people.”
QUOTE: “To encourage one another is the ministry available to every Christian. All it takes is to focus on others.”