Stirring Up Love and Good Works
Life is busy and complicated. It is easy to forget our priorities and lose our way in the Christian life. We all need constant encouragement to keep our focus on love and good works. It is for this reason that all believers are commanded to stir up love and good works in each other.(Hebrews 10:24,25) I believe we are failing in this area today for several reasons which are addressed in these verses.
We must take time to "consider one another." If we are only thinking about ourselves and our needs, we will not be actively trying to help each other grow in love and good works. It is as simple as that. Selfishness kills relationships and Christian fellowship. We are too self-centered because of busy schedules and complicated lives. This hurts us and other people.
Also, we must stop "forsaking the assembling of ourselves together." Today, many believers only attend worship services once a week in large crowds, so that there is minimal personal contact. We do not know our fellow believers, so we can't encourage them on a meaningful level. There is a reason that churches emphasize small groups for Bible study and fellowship, as well as Sunday evening classes and services. It is a natural way to fulfill this command. There is reason that churches have mid-week services. We all need that constant encouragement and interaction to help us grow. Have you noticed how easy it is for people to slip away from the church fellowship when they do not assemble together regularly and faithfully for a purpose?
Finally, we must be "exhorting one another." Sometimes, there are hard things that must be conveyed to stir believers up. We must care enough to reach out and touch those who are falling back. If not, they may be gone forever. Think about your fellowship of believers. How many people are gone who were there a year ago?
This stirring up can't be done in a sermon a week. It can't be done just by pastors and deacons. It is for all of us to do. It must be a priority, or we will continue to see the church decline in America, until there are very few believers when Jesus returns.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hebrews 12-13 and James 1.
We must take time to "consider one another." If we are only thinking about ourselves and our needs, we will not be actively trying to help each other grow in love and good works. It is as simple as that. Selfishness kills relationships and Christian fellowship. We are too self-centered because of busy schedules and complicated lives. This hurts us and other people.
Also, we must stop "forsaking the assembling of ourselves together." Today, many believers only attend worship services once a week in large crowds, so that there is minimal personal contact. We do not know our fellow believers, so we can't encourage them on a meaningful level. There is a reason that churches emphasize small groups for Bible study and fellowship, as well as Sunday evening classes and services. It is a natural way to fulfill this command. There is reason that churches have mid-week services. We all need that constant encouragement and interaction to help us grow. Have you noticed how easy it is for people to slip away from the church fellowship when they do not assemble together regularly and faithfully for a purpose?
Finally, we must be "exhorting one another." Sometimes, there are hard things that must be conveyed to stir believers up. We must care enough to reach out and touch those who are falling back. If not, they may be gone forever. Think about your fellowship of believers. How many people are gone who were there a year ago?
This stirring up can't be done in a sermon a week. It can't be done just by pastors and deacons. It is for all of us to do. It must be a priority, or we will continue to see the church decline in America, until there are very few believers when Jesus returns.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hebrews 12-13 and James 1.