Author Dr. Seuss says in his book The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Have you ever assembled on a Sunday or Wednesday and, as you sat there on the pew, wondered why you were there? There are a lot of good possible answers. You love God. Assembly Is Commanded. You love Jesus. You want to worship God. You are there to partake of the Lord’s Supper. But, really, which of those could we not do at home, by ourselves? After all, I can love God at home by myself, or take the Lord’s supper, or obey God, and so on.
Perhaps the passage we turn to most often to discuss attendance is Hebrews 10:23-25. But if we examine it closely, we see not only the importance of our assembly, but WHY the inspired writer says we need to be here together: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Now, is God saying to encourage each other to be here, or is he saying we are to be here to stimulate and encourage each other? Both are the answer. The letter to the Hebrews is written to Christians who are considering giving up. One of the many tools the insured writer gives them to avoid this is encouragement! Their getting together will help keep them faithful. Does that apply to us today? Of course it does! After all, we all still need encouragement!
When you think of encouragement, what person in the Bible first pops into your head? Perhaps it is Barnabas, and rightfully so (Acts 4:36-37). But so many more were: Paul (Col. 2:2), Tychicus was an encourager (Col. 4:8), several of Paul’s fellow workers (Col. 4:10-11), and Timothy ( 1 Thes. 3:2) were all encouragers. But why were all of these men, as busy as they are, why were they men who were encouragers? Let’s think about encouraging for a few minutes…
Why should we be encouragers? I am seldom the encourager I ought to be, but when I am, a lot of times someone will say something to the effect of,” That is so nice/sweet/kind/thoughtful of you.” Is our being encouragers just sweet, or “good” to do? Or is it a command? Does that make a difference? I believe it does. Too often, we look at encouraging as something “good” to do, rather than something I must do. Guess what the ratio of encouragement to rebuke is in Paul’s writings. It is 5 – 1. There are five encouragements for every one rebuke. This is the one area where, by Biblical example, we should not be balanced! One writer suggested that modern conversation is basically reversed. We offer one encouragement for every six rebukes. How sad!
Hebrews 3:13 says, “But encourage one another day after day.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” It is a command we are given, and the example is to do it a lot!
Mark Twain said, “I can live two months on a good compliment.” But the writers at Unstuck.org tell us that he was only telling half the truth there. Their study finds that while the person who receives praise enjoys feeling noticed and valued (and is motivated to do more of the same), the giver can also bask in the connection. With every compliment given, a bond is strengthened, trust is built, and conversation is encouraged. Potent stuff!
The Unstuck.org staff go on to offer some dos and don’ts to make the most of giving and receiving admiration.
DO be genuine. False praise is easy to spot, and it undermines your trustworthiness.
DON’T give back-handed compliments, such as “You run fast for an old man.”
DO be as specific as possible. Instead of “I like how you redid your living room,” say, “I like the color choice of your living room walls. It’s a perfect accent with the carpet.”
DON’T brush off a compliment given to you. It’s like returning a gift.
DO smile and say thank-you when you receive a compliment.
Today, notice opportunities to compliment and encourage others. It will be beneficial for both of you. You might find that purpose in life for which you have been looking. The reason we are here is to encourage one another!
