Encouragement

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 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.


The root word in encouragement is clearly courage. At the time when the Letter to the Hebrews was written it took courage to be a Christian. This was not a time when people had religious freedom. This was a time when Christians were persecuted and indeed courage was a needed commodity. Christians meeting in small groups in homes and secret places had reason to fear discovery by those who were ready to persecute believers. The church was committed to love and good works in the world to spread the message of Christ, but they would fail in that task if they did not meet for encouragement. The power of God fills people as they gather. The Holy Spirit resident in each believer contributes to the transformation of fearful individuals to the bold Body of Christ.


We need nothing less in our own day. We may not live in days where persecution means possible death, but I find many Christians fearful to be about love and good works in the name of Christ. Our love and good works left devoid of the Holy Spirit or claiming as our Christian action looks no different than the feel good  choices of non Christians. Believers seem to be chasing the same goals and dreams and values as the rest of the world.  Meeting together for service on Sunday was not what the passage from Hebrews was about. They met frequently during the week for fellowship, teaching and encouragement, not just on the Lord's Day. We need more than an hour a week to be courageous Christians.