-March 18, 2024-
Good morning beloved, happy Monday,
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:11).
We must come to the inescapable conclusion that we need each other; for none of us can make it on our own. Our fellowship with one another is of vital importance for our spiritual growth and development.
By coming to church and having fellowship we do two necessary things: comfort and edify each other. Being an encourager is simple to do, and it carries a huge weight of blessing to those in need. We can’t all be preachers or teachers, but we can and should be encouragers.
• Comfort each other – The word for comfort can be rendered encourage. We have all been encouraged by someone at just the needed time; and I’m sure we have been on the giving end as well. Encouragement can come in many forms: a smile, a handshake, a hug, a word, offering some help.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching.” As a nation, church attendance is declining, and it is so sad. On line church is good if we are sick or out of town, but it can’t replace the fellowship of in person services.
• Edify one another – The definition of edify is to build up. It takes a long time to construct a building. Many workers under the supervision of a contractor make it a reality. Christ is the builder and we are all part of His crew building up the building of Christ. The church is the body, the building, and the bride of Christ.
In the church there are those who build up and those who tear down. There are also many who do neither. They just come, hear the sermon, and don’t get involved in the lives of others. The word edify is found five times in the Bible: Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 10:23; Ephesians 4:12; Ephesians 4:16; and 1 Thessalonians 5:11. There are all some references to edification which is the process of edifying.
In Romans 14:19 Paul says, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify one another.” Building up others is of the chief missions of the church.
Are you an encourager? Are you building up others? As the writer of Hebrews says we see the Day approaching, the day when the Lord will come. Time is short. Let us use our time, talents, and treasures to bless others. Paul knew the Thessalonians were doing it and he urged to continue and abound.
Have a blessed day being an encourager to someone today. Stay safe and healthy.
It takes effort and love to point people to Christ above,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 