ENCOURAGE. sophronizo(VERB) –
- restore one to his senses
- to moderate, control, curb, disciple
- to hold one to his duty
- to admonish, to exhort earnestly
“But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time – He Who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
1 Timothy 6:11-15
BAM! As a new follower of Christ, a new creature in Christ, we desperately need the encouragement of other believers. The new creature has been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light.
“For He has rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son”
Colossians 1:13
As a result, the creature is now in a full blown spiritual war! Warfare has begun!
While the new creature (B.C. – Before Christ) was on the losing side, i.e. Satan’s kingdom, the kingdom of darkness, he or she was aloof to their enemy’s workings.
Now, the new creature stands in Christ, JUSTIFIED (just as if they had never sinned) BEFORE THE JUDGE of heaven and earth, and spiritual eyes have been opened with an eternal view given to them.
“But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”
1 Corinthians 2:14
Once on the winning side, as a new Christ follower, with the Holy Spirit of the Living God indwelling their heart/mind, there is nothing this side of heaven one cannot face, overcome and walk through. As Christ’s follower, we have a comforter, a companion, a counselor, a convictor, a teacher, and a truth-revealer that indwells us.
We are never alone! In the midst of every trial, our hope and our constant, THE ONLY CONSTANT, is in the unchanging, immutable God Almighty!
New life in Christ places us in the family of God as a child of God (John 1:12), a family of believers, who also have the mind of Christ. This status is not based on socioeconomic status, backgrounds, or experiences. We are all level with the same amount of the Holy Spirit indwelling us to fully equip us for our life in Christ. We have been set apart to be salt and light in this perverse world.
Scroll back up and take a look at the definition of encourage – to restore to one’s senses. Living in this world will definitely challenge you to be restored to truth – to ‘come to your senses’.
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
While Jesus walked on earth, He prepared and encouraged the disciples for when He would leave them – He was thinking of His church, His bride. His followers… They were in Christ’s heart, and He knew the Holy Spirit could not come while He was still among them, nor could the clock start ticking for His return so He could receive His bride – the CHURCH! He had eternity in mind, but He knew in the interim there had to be the building OF the church– that’s people, NOT a building! There had to be encouragement for His people, a body of believers who would come alongside one another in unity and love….His heart’s desire.
“I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
Matthew 16:18
The Greek word “church” here does not refer to a specific denomination or several denominations or a building. Ekklesia is:
- Ones called out from the world to God
- belonging to the Lord
- body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom.
It also says ‘to hold to one’s duty”…and duties we certainly have.
I don’t know about you, but I have to remind myself of Gospel Truth DAILY – I have to preach to thyself!!! If I do not apply the Gospel daily, how can I even be reminded what He has done for me? Being a child of God gives one a living, eternal hope in Jesus Christ!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3
Yet, oftentimes a word is preached that if someone commits their life to Christ, their life will be bubblegum, tootsie rolls, no pain, no stress, Bon-Bons and absolute health and wealth.
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
2 Timothy 3:12
It’s a lie from the pit of hell!
Though we know this is the encouragement blog, our heart’s desire is to encourage you with TRUTH. SO, sister – get your armor girl and SUIT UP!
“I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery. I may never shoot for the enemy. But I’m in the Lord’s army. Yes sir!”
In all seriousness though, there is a war. Almighty God has graciously given the Holy Spirit, the Armor of God, His Word and the body of Christ- to encourage us.
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:8-11
