“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1Thess. 5:11
During the past few months, I have been frequently struck by the great significance of encouragement, and here, as we enter a new year, the practice of edifying and building each other up is no less vital. As someone who has done various kinds of construction, I can say from experience that demolition is always much easier and faster than rebuilding. Tearing down a building or a machine can be done in a day or even a few hours, while the construction or repair of the same things can take months of dedicated hard work and investment. It is costly to build up, it requires a personal investment of time and resources, and it can take great perseverance to complete the project.
‘This is exactly how it is in our relationships with one another as well. A hurtful word or deed can cause damage that takes months or years to restore. Often, I have disregarded or neglected encouragement because it can seem to be less valuable than the more “important” aspects of Christian service, yet encouragement and edification are an integral part of how we serve one another and are vital to the healthy functioning of the Body.
Recently, God keeps bringing my attention back to this through the story of Barnabas, specifically in Acts 4:36-37
“Thus Joseph, who was called by the apostles Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
What a magnificent thing to be known as a Son of Encouragement; what a beautiful testimony to the work of Jesus, to demonstrate His life through Barnabas in his love for others. When we follow the story of Barnabas through the book of Acts, we see him living with an outward focus, paying attention to the needs of others, going to people that no one else would even speak to, and constantly strengthening people by reminding them of the Truth—a son of Encouragement.
As I have been learning to obey this conviction from God to encourage and intentionally look for ways to build others up, it has quickly become apparent that I am incapable of mustering up the right words or finding the right thing to do. Whenever I try, it sounds hollow and lifeless. Jesus says in John 15:12
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you”.
Yet when I try to love others as He loves, I quickly run out of steam and end up frustrated and discouraged. The answer our Father faithfully keeps bringing me to, and the Truth that sets us free, is that a son of encouragement is not the source of encouragement. A son simply does what he sees his Father doing. Our Father is the source of Love and Encouragement and He knows what each of us needs. He invites us to join Him in His work of building up, and as we do, He gives us the wisdom to encourage each other with words that bring Life, for they are, in fact, His words.
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6
He is the God of endurance and encouragement; as we abide in Him we become like Him as His beloved children. He fills us so that we may have an abundance to give and keep on giving. We all need to be reminded of the truth. That is the beauty of the body of Christ: each one strengthening the other with the truth and together glorifying our Father for His marvellous work of unity and love among us.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
They will know that we are disciples of Jesus because only He can bring such love and unity among us. It is His work, and He will be glorified. So, let us abide in Him and choose to trust Him with our grievances against one another. Let us remain in Him and join Him in His grand adventure of encouragement.
“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir one another up 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 10:23-25
By: Sam Braun
