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"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works."
(Hebrews 10:24)
The happiest and most fulfilled people in the world are those who put others ahead of themselves. I know people like this, and you do as well. These folks are not selfish but choose to give themselves away for the blessings of others. Those of us who are married have a golden opportunity every day to consider our spouse and seek ways to build him or her up in the Lord. I'm not sure about you, but I am at my best when I put Jesus and others ahead of my own desires and wants. It is not easy, and I have to fight the urge to default to me and what best fits my schedule. Can you relate?
The biblical writer of our verses for today instructs us to consider one another. The Greek word translated "consider" is katanoéō, which means "to observe fully: behold, consider, discover, perceive" (Blueletterbible.org). The others that he refers to, as seen in the context of the verses, are clearly those in the local church. Those with whom we meet physically on a weekly basis are the ones God has given us to influence and bless and to be influenced and blessed by. You simply cannot get this online. I love online ministry and am grateful to God for the hundreds of people who watch our worship services online, but it is no substitute for the regular, in-person, face-to-face meeting with the people of God.
Verse 24 says we are to consider one another so we can stir them up, rattle them a bit, if you will. This can be positive or negative. At times, we will be called upon to be a balm to soothe and ameliorate painful circumstances. Again, it is hard to do this when you are not present in person. But other times we are called to stir others in an agitating, sandpaper kind of way. When we are out of line (and we all get this way at times), we need the correction of God. A primary means which He uses to correct us and put us back where we need to be are our brothers and sisters in Christ in our local church.
The end result of this consideration of others and stirring them up is love and good works. As God's people, we are the ones to be salt and light in a dark and sinful world. It is hard to love the unlovely and engage in good deeds toward those who will not appreciate our efforts. But we are called to this higher plane of living. We provoke one another so we can be the people God wants us to be. Do you have people like this in your life who stir you up to love and good works? Many of you do and that is wonderful. You have a godly friend or Bible teacher, or perhaps a pastor that is constantly challenging you to be your best.
All these benefits and blessings come only when you are in association with others, with believers gathered with you for the same purpose of glorifying God with our lives. Church is God's big idea, and what a grand design it is!
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