“COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS”

  

“The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as they that are taught.” (Isa. 50:4)

The words of Isaiah above, are certainly applicable to every Christian. What a blessing! Yet, as is true of all blessings, with them comes a great responsibility. To have such a gift to speak with encouragement, but fail to do so, is more than a waste; it is an injustice to both God who gave the blessing, and those who were not encouraged by your speech.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11).

The Hebrew writer declared, “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today’, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb. 3:13).

In these two texts, we see encouragement being practiced by the church of Christ at Thessalonica and the reason for which encouragement is so needed by brethren in Christ is to prevent hearts from becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Brethren, let us be reminded of the deceitfulness of sin – it destroys our peace, unity, and love for each other. Let us give diligence to be encouragers: within our families, among our neighbors, but more so, among each other as brethren.

Sin can overtake any of us; don’t self-deceive that you are immune to Satan’s deceptions. Discouragement is all that it takes to open the door to self-deceit. Never allow this in our homes nor in our congregation. Read daily the words of Isaiah above and commit them to your life.   

“And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.” (1 Thess. 5:23-24).