Encouragers

Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise. Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.  (verses 23-25)

Read Hebrews 10:11-25

This is a great passage. There is a really positive, encouraging feel to it. It begins with the assurance that God keeps his promise. So we’re encouraged to hang on to the hope we have as Christians.

Then the author talks about being concerned for one another. It may be that your concern in relation to others results from worry that you are working harder than they are or that maybe they are getting ahead of you. But proper concern for others means helping them to show love and to do good. It’s all about encouragement, not competition.

It’s a great concept. Life is competitive enough, and our culture promotes competition at every level in so many ways. As a Christian you can step out of that race. You can be an encourager. You can tell someone they did a good job, give someone a hand to get them ahead, perform an act of random kindness. It’s important, because time is short enough without filling it with bitterness, division and anger.

Lord, help me to encourage others by my words and actions. Amen.

by Tom Peitsch, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)

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