CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER

SHILOH RESOLUTIONS PART 3

The final challenge is offered in verses Hebrews 10:24, 25. In these two verses the writer charges us to care about one another. He shows us two ways in which we can show that we care about each other. First he says we should “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (v.24) In effect, he is saying that it should be a priority for us to put some thought and effort into helping each other be obedient to God. He uses the word “consider.” Considering requires time and thought. In other words, he is not telling us that we are to behave as judge and jury over one another. Instead, we should care so much about one another that we would be willing to carefully think about ways in which we can motivate one another to grow in obedience. How contrary this is to our usual way of thinking! It usually takes all our energy to motivate ourselves to do the right thing and here we are told that we should help others! In our society people make an effort not to pay attention to the troubles and struggles other people have. We tend to act in a way that communicates that we are only to concern ourselves with our own business. But look at it another way. If we don’t help one another, who is going to help us? The world does not offer any help to us in our effort to love and do good deeds! It is left up to us! The body of Christ is charged with the duty of lovingly ministering to one another and helping each other along the path to obedience. Our spiritual lives are not just our own business! We do not live out our Christianity in a vacuum! We live openly among one another and we are not free to focus our efforts merely upon ourselves. We are our brothers’ keepers and we ought to think about how to help them along the road to a closer relationship with God!

There is a second way in which we can try to take care of one another. The writer tells us that we need to be committed to one another. That commitment is shown by our continuing to faithfully meet together and encourage one another. It has always been a temptation to some to think lightly of meeting together with other Christians. Some have always thought they could do just fine without the rest of the body. The writer to the Hebrews would never accept such thinking. How could such a person do his part to spur one another on to love and good deeds? How could this person encourage other believers? If we just look around us we can see many brothers and sisters who are in need of all kinds of encouragement! How will you encourage them if you stay at home or choose to use your time selfishly? Christian people need to just be together! We must get to know one another’s strengths and weaknesses. One of the great joys of 2006 has been watching the growth in love and unity among our people here at Shiloh. May we increase our caring for each other in 2007!

Our text ends with the words, “and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” The Day of the Lord is approaching! As we turn our calendars to a new year we realize that we are one year closer to Christ’s return! What are our resolutions for this year? Let us come nearer to God! Let us cling unswervingly to our hope in Christ! And let us truly care about one another!