Are you an encourager?  Without debating the merits of the show as a whole, one of my favorite skits on Saturday Night Live was Debbie Downer.  No matter what was said, she would find a way to twist the conversation back onto herself to try to gain attention/sympathy.  Comedic genius.

Ask yourself this question:  Do you have things going on in your life that are difficult?  Are you struggle as you work towards a goal?  If you answer “yes” to these questions, then rest assured you’ve got 100% of the world as company.  Jesus knew that this life wasn’t easy.  He even tells His followers that He is sending them out as sheep amongst wolves.  (Matt 10:16)  Persecution and suffering will come as a Christian, setting aside the everyday struggles/battles that we all deal with.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that as Christians we are called to encourage one another.  More than a suggestion, we are commanded to in scripture:  Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 – “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

The title today really is meant to address 1 5:9 above.  Once God, the Holy Spirit, has wrought saving faith to believe in a person, that person is sealed for all eternity – you cannot lose your salvation.  God uses means of grace though by which He sustains faith over time in a believer.  The Bible talks about “being saved” (Acts 2:47, 1 Cor 1:18, 1 Cor 15:2, 2 Cor 2:15) and “obtaining salvation” (above) as if it is something that is ongoing.  It is.  Salvation is more than a decision to believe, but it is a life altering relationship with Jesus Christ that continues until death and beyond.

For any of us who have ever been wronged by a professing Christian, you know how much that can quench your affections for the Church and even God.  How much greater then, should we strive to encourage those believers around us.  The timely encouragement of a believer is more valuable than gold; it can be the difference between someone walking away from their faith.  Your encouragement will be a means of grace God will use to sustain the faith of others.  God, through you, will use encouragement from scripture to fan into flame the faith of the believers around you.  Arm yourself with the Word and purpose yourself to encourage others.

Now, with that said, let me encourage you:  If you find yourself encouraged or challenged by these daily writings, know that it is not my words, but God who is at work in you.  If these writings spark a desire to grow in your knowledge of the Word, it is Jesus that you long for, because all the Bible is about Him.  Today, where you stand, God loves you completely.  Who we are today is not worthy to be compared to who we are becoming, in Christ.  Therefore, let your affections be singular for God, and your heart eager to lift up those around you.

Grace be with you,
Adam