September 4
“Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching,” Hebrews 10:24-25.
We need one another. People were created to be social human beings who are concerned about the physical and spiritual welfare of each other. In order to stir up one another in a loving and caring way, we must keep in contact with our fellowmen.
This does not mean that we should make other people’s business our own business and invade other people’s right to privacy. However, in our contacts with others in both word and deed, we should make others feel that we have their welfare at heart. When encouragements and compliments are in order, we should by all means express both.
This responsibility toward others might be expressed in the summary of the Second Tablet of the Law: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Do you want to be loved, be spoken well of, be treated justly and fairly, be helped when needed, be encouraged – and the list goes on and on? Your answer to these questions will be, “Yes!” Then love your neighbor as yourself! Jesus expressed it in this way: “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,” Matthew 7:12.
Our love and concern for others should involve both their bodily and spiritual welfare. The Lord Jesus emphasized a concern for the physical welfare of our fellowman, even when he is not loving toward us. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44.
Our concern for the spiritual welfare of others was summarized in the words of Jesus just prior to His ascension into heaven: “You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth,” Acts 1:8. This means that we should speak to others about their sin and their Savior. Speak of how God demonstrated His love for all: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” Romans 5:8. Jesus suffered and died to redeem us, and rose from the grave to conquer sin, death, and the devil.
We should encourage others to gather together for public worship, prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews writes, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some.” If people who claim to be Christians stay away from public worship and religious gatherings where their faith would be strengthened through the Word, they are separating themselves from the source for Christian growth and the strengthening of their faith.
We should be engaged in encouraging others for the strengthening of their faith because it is later than you think. Do this, “So much the more as you see the Day approaching.” The time of this world is running out! The Savior will soon come again!
“Hark! The voice of Jesus crying,
‘Who will go and work today?
Fields are white and harvests waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves away?’
Loud and long the Master calleth,
Rich reward He offers thee;
Who will answer, gladly saying,
‘Here am I, send me, send me’?
Let none hear you idly saying,
‘There is nothing I can do,’
While the souls of men are dying,
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task He gives you gladly,
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when he calleth,
‘Here am I, send me, send me!’” Amen.