Encouragement is not Childish
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
When exactly did we quit exhorting, affirming and encouraging one another? We are told that two of the most difficult developmental tasks we will ever be asked to master in our lifetimes is walking and talking. Nobody corrects a toddler when they attempt their first few solo steps. “Come on now, that is not how I told you to do it! Do your want people to think you are stupid? It is left, right, left, right. Now do it like your are supposed to do it.” Instead we go ballistic at their first steps! We notice their brave efforts, and we affirm them. “Good job.” “You can do it.” “Come to Momma” as she holds out her hands toward the child. What results is that they experience the fact that people believe in them, and then they pull themselves up and try even harder.
For adults, it seems we somehow believe we’ve outgrown the need for such childish encouragement. We see encouragement as being soft, coddling, or irresponsible. After all, why beat around the bush when we can just lay it on the line? They need to learn that the Christian life is hard.
The Scriptures, however, understood that encouragement meant consoling, comforting, and exhorting others to doing loving good deeds. What you and I need is for someone to come along side and encourage us in such a way that we feel understood, and yet also challenged. We all need at times, a loving arm around our shoulders and an encouraging word, There is dignity and respect in that. It delivers the message, “I believe in you.”
Our text for this study says we are to “Consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” We are commanded “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (faithful attending and participating in the gatherings of the church). His reasoning was that we need to encourage one another to “love and good works” and “exhorting one another” because time is running out and we can see that Day approaching. Jesus demonstrated this by stooping to wash the disciples’ feet, then commanded them, and us, to go and do likewise. Lording it over others and exalting ourselves “shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be you servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45).
Jesus condemned our modern sense of entitlement. It is not about us, but is about helping and encouraging others. This will help all of us grow in Christ and demonstrate to the world our love for each other and His love for all. We all have “one of those days” sometimes. We all need a “pick me up” or an encouraging word. Instead of criticism, we need “I believe in you” said and demonstrated. We need each other.