Saturday, February 5, 2022
CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER
Heb 10:23-25
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke
unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as
the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye
see the day approaching.
Much of the ills of the church are a result of abandoning our beliefs. The exhortation to “hold
fast the profession of our faith” does not mean we have lost heart but we have stopped
believing the body of truths firmly held by all the churches. Church, then, devolves
into an emotional coffee klatch. We agree with Adam Clarke that “The word homologia,
from homou, together, and logos, a word, implies
that general consent that was among Christians on all the important
articles of their faith and practice.” In hillbilly theology, we have stopped
believing the most essential elements of our faith.
Considering one another
means that we diligently and intentionally think about the trials and
circumstances of our brothers and sisters. It is a focus away from ourselves.
Moreover, it literally feels what they feel. It’s called empathy
and it almost always hurts but it does one other thing. It weakens the tendency
to become harsh, bitter, and judgmental towards others. It keeps us from carrying
the placard that reads “my life matters but yours does not.”
Not everyone
who fails at theology is a false teacher. Perhaps they simply need an Aquila
and Priscilla to take them aside and to teach them “the way of God more
perfectly.” (See Acts 18:26)
Not everyone
who fails at faith is a cast away. Perhaps they simply need someone to consider
their situation and be for them a spiritual and emotional Good Samaritan. If
Christ is the Redeemer, we must believe that others as well as ourselves are
redeemable.
Lord, let me consider others so that I may encourage them
toward love and good works. AMEN
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