An ABC of Faith

Encouragement

Encouragement is part and parcel of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, for we cannot be a follower of Jesus unless we clearly see our role of being alongside others on the Christian Pathway.

Have you ever considered yourself as a minister of the gospel; for weren’t the first ministers of the church the 12 disciples called by Christ. For me, being a minister is all about being an encourager, after all, the word minister, often translated as presbyter in the New Testament, has also been translated as huperetes meaning an under-rower - one who helps other crew members to row in unison so as to propel the ship. Paul used this to describe himself in Romans 1:1 signifying that ministry is wider than leadership in the traditional sense. 

The writer to the Hebrews in 10:24-25 puts it this way, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

There is something in this text that is very hard to bring over into English. The word “consider,” (“Let us consider how we…”) is used one other time in the book, namely, Hebrews 3:1, where the writer says, “Consider Jesus.” That is, look at him; think about him, focus on him, study him, let your mind be occupied with him. “Jesus” is the direct object of the verb “consider.” “Consider Jesus.”  Well, in Hebrews 10:24 the grammar is the same: the direct object of the word “consider” is “one another.” Literally, it says, “Consider one another.” And if we link this with the teaching of Jesus where he prays, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” we begin to perceive our vocation as encouragers.

How will you encourage another today?

All praise to our redeeming Lord,

  Who joins us by His grace,

And bids us, each to each restored,

  Together seek His face,

  Together seek His face.

He bids us build each other up;

  And, gathered into one,

To our high calling’s glorious hope,

  We hand in hand go on,

  We hand in hand go on.

The gift which He on one bestows,

  We all delight to prove;

The grace through every vessel flows,

  In purest streams of love,

  In purest streams of love.

We all partake the joy of one;

  The common peace we feel;

A peace to worldly minds unknown,

  A joy unspeakable,

  A joy unspeakable.

And if our fellowship below

  In Christ yet be so sweet,

What height of rapture shall we know,

  When round His throne we meet,

  When round His throne we meet!

Charles Wesley