ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

It is said that there are two types of people in the world; those who come into a room and say, 'Here I am!' and those who come in and say, 'There you are!'.

The 'self-centered' heart says, "Look at me, I need attention, I'm important, The world revolves around me". But the 'Christ-centered' heart says, "Tell me about yourself, You are important, I'm here to serve you".

Believers are called upon ...

to give preference (honor one another above ourselves)

to edify (build up one another)

to serve (through love be servants of one another)

to bear (carry each other’s burdens and so live out the law of Christ) 

to forgive (just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive) 

to comfort (encourage one another)

and to pray (confess your sins to each other and pray for each other) 

Furthermore ... we must not allow pride to keep us from receiving counsel from our brothers in Christ. Their eyes may see what is not apparent to ours. Reproofs should be given with great tenderness; but even though they may sting ... we are to humbly listen, pray about that which has been brought to our attention, and repent if necessary. 

Exhort one another daily, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. Hebrews 3:13-14

The 'deceitfulness of sin' can, with great subtlety, harden one's soul. When one (seemingly inconsequential) sin is allowed in, it paves the way for another ... thus a destructive pattern develops. Therefore, we must continually exhort one another concerning 'stones of stumbling'. 

Be thankful that those who love you care enough to warn you. 

Spurgeon - We are not to scold one another daily, nor to suspect one another daily, nor to pick holes in one another’s coats daily; but when we see a manifest fault in a brother, we are bound to tell him of it in love; and when we do not see any fault of commission, but the brother is evidently growing lax and cold, it is well to stir him up to greater zeal by a loving exhortation.

Share your burdens and aspirations ... and, in turn, be available to hear those of your fellows. The ultimate goal is to enrich each other in the things of Christ ... that we may all experience His divine love and ever-present sufficiency as Lord.