Encourage One Another Daily

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

When you look at this verse in the King James Version, exhort is used instead of the word encourage. Both words are a form of translation from the Greek word – parakaleō ; a verb from which we can learn quite a bit. The Strong’s concordance has this rendition to explain its meaning.

1. to call to one's side, call for, summon

2. to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

a. to admonish, exhort

b. to beg, entreat, beseech

3. to strive to appease by entreaty

a. to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort

4. to receive consolation, be comforted

a. to encourage, strengthen

b. exhorting and comforting and encouraging

c. to instruct, teach

In any case it would appear that a fair degree of effort is suggested with its use. When you attach the context in which the writer of Hebrews places it (as long as it is called “Today”), and it seems that even greater lengths were taken to emphasis the importance of its attention and effort.

Why do think that would be, why is it so necessary to go the extra yard?

The approach to the answer is probably best found by looking at the warning, and description of sin used at the end of the verse… the deceitfulness that can readily lead to a hardened state of being.

Do we make use of the opportunities presented us to encourage and exhort others that we see clearly in need, or is our compassion reserved for an exclusive and select few?

Theses instructions are given for members of the Church to be watchful and attentive toward other members as well as of themselves. It is a duty that goes neglected much too often.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (KJV)
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Sin is always deceitful. Its promises are ever empty. It paints a picture of pleasure which it never delivers. It calls us to places we are never supposed to go, and compels us to indulge one step at a time until the heart becomes entirely hardened. If sinful acts were seen in their true form, man would not be tempted to commit them. What person would start gambling, develop a pattern of drunkenness, or start using drugs if they could see the life they would flush down the toilet? Sin deceives us; it deludes our judgment and prevents us from seeing clearly. Happiness and gainful desire are dangled like a carrot just out of reach until satisfaction of the heart becomes a kind of madness and our conscience is seared – we give in without remorse.

Each and every member in the “Body of Christ” should feel that he has a vested interest in keeping his brother from such a subtle trap; and each of us who are aware of such danger should be willing to listen to the kind exhortation that comes from the brothers and sisters in fellowship.

Romans 7:11 (KJV)

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew [me].

The commandments allowed us to see sin, to become aware of it; but for every one of us that got a look at what it was… we also got deceived. Mankind was coaxed into thinking that sin could be tamed under man’s ability alone. One of Satan’s descriptive names is – “The Deceiver.”

Revelation 12:9 (KJV)
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

It was for this reason that Christ took on flesh and was born to dwell among us in the world… to usher in the “Good News.” Look again at the expressions used for our Greek word – parakaleō.

Is it not Christ, who calls us to His side, that summons’s us away from darkness?

Isn’t it by Him speaking to us, “The Living Word”, that we are called upon to have faith in the gift of salvation, and to live a life of service to Him because of that faith?

Who would say that His life was not lived as a comfort to those He encountered; giving exhortation and instruction to all… even to us in this day?

Should we not for the sake of the cross; entreat, beseech, and even beg - if we find it necessary to strengthen our brothers and sisters in the faith, and in doing so receive consolation?

I think… no, I believe it’s our duty - that because we were taught by and received these instructions from Christ Himself that we would do well to make it our Christian Business to do all we can to…

“Encourage One Another Daily, as long as it is called “Today.”

“Blessings”

Matt.