Encourage Me

[2 THESSALONIANS 2:3, 15]

3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

So to recap, you can see how inaccurate doctrine can deplete one’s hope. You would be surprised at the number of Christians that when asked, are not firm in declaring that, “Yes, I am saved!” I’ve met Christians in my travels who were never taught to really know they had eternal life.

On one occasion, while visiting at the home of a brother and sister who were attending a Christian college, we were casually talking to the wife of one of the professors who had dropped in to say hello. I became aware through her remarks, that although she belonged to Jesus, she could not firmly say, “I am one of God’s heir and I will enter into His kingdom when I leave my body.”

Doctrinally, God has revealed to us assurance of our salvation in very clear terms: 1 John 5:13, John 20:31, John 5:24, Romans 8:33-39, 1Timothy 1:12, Ephisians 1:4-5... and many more. The hope we rely on is not, “Gee I sure hope so..” Our hope is in knowing through His Word and our relationship with Him, that we are saved. Our hope is grounded in a faith that is unwavering.

So don’t whimper and wave like a blade of grass in the wind, and don’t stand there looking down-encourage me! Encourage me through your hope. Let me know that your hope is grounded on the importance of every word that comes out of God’s mouth.

Encouragement through love

Finally, as we have already seen, whenever you find faith and hope, can love be far behind? Encourage me through your love.

Nothing I have ever found lifts my spirits and encourages me more than being loved. I’m sure you will agree. I’ve been married for over 35 years, to the same lady, and we are certain of our love for one another.

To know someone’s there to buffet your falls, exalt in your joys or share in your tears, is the second greatest encouragement of my life and my wife’s. The first of course, is the love of our Lord. Now there’s a love that will never fail, because it transcends death. Talk about a foundation on which to stand! Talk about the ultimate encouragement!

If then, we have received such vast love, how much more should we love one another, especially since we know that the greatest of these is love. So I ask you to encourage me through your love for one another.

Dr. James Dobson informs us that children are best adjusted when the father and the mother love and respect one another in the home. I am now informing you that I will be best encouraged and well adjusted if in this church, you will love and respect one another.

Love however is not automatic; it requires lots of work. Sort of like driving a car with standard transmission in traffic, as opposed to an automatic. Your foot tires, your calf sometimes aches and your left leg stiffens up. But if you like 5 speed manuals, then you will actually enjoy the drive. Just like love, it requires work and perseverance.