Encouraging One Another All the More - January 15

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Reflect

Think about a time when another believer encouraged you. What were the circumstances? How did their words impact you?

The world is a harsh place. That is a reality that feels more real on certain days than others, but it is a fact. Nations war against nations and have since the beginning of time. The streets of our cities are full of crime. Illnesses and diseases run rampant. Even the place that we want to treasure most—home—is imperfect at best. For many, home is dysfunctional or even completely broken.

People tend to think that once they become a Christian, every little thing is going to be alright. Sadly, some preachers even preach this! But that isn’t what Jesus preached. Jesus was honest that if people hated Him so much that they wanted Him dead, they would hate His followers as well (John 15:20). We see the truth of this statement still today. In many countries, Christians face severe persecution. When we become Christians, we do have hope! But we are still living in a harsh and broken world.

The believers in Thessalonica were living in a harsh world, too. They faced the death of loved ones just as we do today but they were concerned that those who died waiting for Christ had missed out on His Kingdom. Also, they experienced such severe persecution, they were afraid they’d missed the Rapture and were living in the days of the Lord’s judgment. Paul just finished comforting them and correcting their misunderstanding of the end times. He assured them that all believers, both dead and alive at Christ’s return, will live forever with the Lord. No believer in Christ is missing the “bus.” Still, He exhorted them to always be ready because the day will come suddenly and unexpectedly.

In light of all that, Paul said to encourage one another. We all need encouragement, especially on those really difficult days when the harsh realities of the world are just too much for us to take. We are human. We get weak and grow weary of the struggle. That’s why Paul said that we need to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and urge each other to keep the faith on the hard days.

In addition to encouragement, we should also edify others. That means we should all help to build up our brothers and sisters in Christ and establish them in the faith. We have a common goal of building up the body of Christ, so we should all be working together to ensure that every believer is growing, developing, and maturing in their faith. Apparently, the Thessalonians were already encouraging and edifying each other so Paul urged them to keep at it!

The world is hard. But our hope is sure! Sometimes, we just need our brothers and sisters in Christ to remind us to lift up our eyes. “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” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Respond

Lord, thank You for the gift of other believers. We need each other! This world is a place of trouble but we can take heart because You have overcome the world (John 16:33)! Show me who needs to be encouraged with Your Word and help me build them up and edify them. Amen.

Reveal

Ask God to help you identify someone in your sphere of influence who could really use some biblical encouragement. Share reminders of hope with them today!