Encourage
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If we observe human life in general, we have this nature which joysticks our eyes & mind to a self centeredness in every walk of life . Do we encourage others genuinely , or do we do it for any specific reason. God’s concern & encouragement is like Luke 12: 6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” How are we concerned about others ? A Lady , a mongrel who was divorced 5 times , an outcast among outcast , was impacted radically when encouraged by our Lord , the interaction which changed her whole life & identity. In her life ,encouragement became contagious. It changes the identity of the listener & the people surrounding him . The Father made Jesus sit at his right hand after He was raised. We are also placed & seated with Christ in heavenly places. The life beyond the cross is a life of sharing and encouraging others. The battle has been already won, we are more than conquerors.
Are we ready to listen to others & share our life with them. Do we only share the success stories . Where is the story of our own Cross? Are we able to recognise that everyone is a part of body of Christ ? Could we encourage the spiritual gifts & talent given to others ? What do we do about it ? Paul writes to Timothy , Corinthians, ephesians , colossians etc in a language of encouragement & hope . We see how the gospel rampantly spread at that time by words of encouragement from Paul . What tool do we use now ? Is the gospel being spread and received sincerely. Do we create opportunities for others to practice their spiritual gifts ? Are we more interested in exercising our own gifts & authority ? Can people see a Cross in our attitude & opinions or do they see us ?
What actually happens when we encourage a person with the glory & power of the word ? If we look at the Samiritan lady we understand ,that the first emotion or feeling was of liberation or freedom . The next was a joy & transformation from one degree of glory to another . Her spirit was rejuvenated by the Holy Spirit . 1 Cor 3: 17-18 “ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is freedom. And we all with unveiled face , beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Barnabas was known as the “son of encouragement” because he was constantly encouraging those around him. As the apostles worked to spread the good news and grow the church, Barnabas played a large role in encouraging and connecting people. He put his reputation on the line to encourage the apostles to accept Paul after his conversion. He mentored the young John Mark when others didn’t want to give him a second chance. Can we give others a second chance if they have betrayed us once. God has been giving us many chances, do we give others a chance to reconcile with us. If we do that , others can see the glorious image of God from one degree of glory to another . Can we burn others heart while we talk to them. We know the experience of the two who were going to Emmaus with the risen Jesus who encouraged them .
Jesus was in risen state before & after the cross . The mind of Christ was glorious before & after the cross. If you are a truly risen child of God, you should be able to encourage others and say , “ Father forgive them , they do not know what they are doing.”
“Can you believe for a non believer, then he will start seeing the image of God in himself”