COMFORT AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

Nelson Thomas Mumbai

No born-again child of God can act independent of other believers, neglecting their mutual responsibilities. God in His grace and mercy saves us individually, but immediately He places us in the body of Christ, the Church, 1 Cor. 12:13, 27. Thus, we are vitally linked to each member of the Church. Because of this interdependent state of the Body, it is detrimental for a member to isolate oneself from the company of God’s people, 1Cori. 12:15, 16.
Any failure in fulfilling this mutual responsibility affects the health of the Body, the Church. Moreover, such a selfish attitude is a rebellion against the Lord of the Church!

Mutual obligation
In the area of mutual obligation, encouraging and comforting one another is one of the most important instructions found in the scripture.
Emphasizing its value, Paul wrote this to the Thessalonians,

“As you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children”, 1Thess. 2:11.
“Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith”, 1Thess. 3:7.
“Therefore comfort one another with these words”, 1Thess 4:18.
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1Thess. 5:11.
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” 1Thess. 5:14 ESV.

Notice the number of times Apostle Paul refers to the reciprocal responsibility of believers regarding encouraging one another. Not only that, he finds comfort in them, he also in turn comforted them and exhorted them to do the same with one another. Similar appeals can be found in other letters too.

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews mentioned that the entire epistle was a ‘word of exhortation’ and asked them to encourage and exhort one another considering their feeble, demoralized state (Heb. 13:22; 3:13; 10:24; 12:12; etc.).

Do we really take these instructions seriously? Are our words and actions uplifting our fellow believers or do they put them down further?

The meaning of exhort, encourage, and comfort
In the New Testament, we can notice that the terms ‘exhortation’, ‘encouragement’, and ‘comfort’ used interchangeably. The basic idea these words convey is someone coming alongside to counsel, console, encourage, etc. with a view to empower and equip the other, so that they may live a fruitful life.

It means to strengthen the feeble-minded, enlighten and counsel the confused, inspire and challenge the slothful, and present hope and purpose of life to the disheartened, etc. This is how God wants His people to stand with one another and be their help and support.

The Importance
We may wonder if this is really an important matter. We can notice at least four reasons why encouraging or comforting one another is essential today.

The Bible refers to plenty of occasions where God encouraged His people. We will consider only three such instances here.

Twice the Lord told Moses to encourage Joshua as the future leader of Israel.

“Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.” (Deut. 1:38)
“But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.” (Deut. 3:28)

The Lord knew that before Joshua could lead the people of Israel after Moses, he needed to be encouraged by Moses himself. In obedience to God’s commandment, Moses not only spoke inspiring words to strengthen him but also gave him practical training and even commissioned him publically. (Deut. 31:7, 8, 14, 23 cf. Num. 27:18–23).

After the death of Moses, the Lord Himself encouraged Joshua with the promise of His unfailing presence and sure success (Josh. 1:1, 6-9). Incidentally, these words still remain a source of comfort and inspiration to believers in their various challenging situations. Notice, how much God is concerned about equipping young believers for future ministries!

Elijah, who did mighty things for the Lord on Mount Carmel, got frightened at the threat of Jezebel and fled for his life. Depressed, Elijah even wished to die! Yet, we don’t see the Lord rebuking His servant for such a melancholic response, but provided the needed provision and encouraged him to go forward.
It’s natural for anyone to fall into such a gloomy state. In such situations, it is the responsibility of the Lord’s people to reach out and help them recover.

"Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" says your God. "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the LORD's hand Double for all her sins." (Isaiah 40: 1, 2)

Notice, how forcefully and passionately the Lord is calling upon everyone to comfort His people. He is aware of the pain and agony they had to face as part of the disciplinary actions. Under the Babylonian captivity, they were discouraged and distressed. They lost their joy and confidence and even refused to sing the Lord’s song in that foreign land (Psalm 137). They were in need of reinforcement and reassurance.

Our Lord not only chastens, but comforts and strengthens too. What a heartening truth it is to know that our God is thoughtful about our consolation. He does not find any pleasure in our grief-stricken, depressed situations. (Ezek. 18:23, 32; Lama. 3:33)

Sad to notice, today many find a sadistic joy in the pain and agony of others. Is it not the reason why we refuse to comfort and counsel the exhausted and the disturbed ones around us?

Praise be to our God, He is concerned and opens the ways to uplift His people.

See the ministry of the Lord Jesus, He preached rest and hope for the wearied and burdened (Matt. 11:28). Christ’s response to the frightened woman, “Daughter, be of good comfort” and to the grieving widow of Nain, “Weep not” reveal His compassionate heart (Matthew 9:22; Luke 7:13 cf. Isaiah 42:3; 50:4).

Remember, the widow of Nain did not seek the help of Christ, but the Lord knowing her grief went to her and comforted her.

There was a time when godly men used to go the extra mile to support the weak and vulnerable to find solutions to their troubles. Alas, today as the Levite we prefer to look the other way, maybe to avoid any personal inconvenience by resolving other’s worries! (Luke 10: 32). Yes, we don’t have to interfere in the personal affairs of others; but when the need is evident, should we not help the downtrodden to find some solace?

Our Lord’s ministry of encouragement reached the peak at the upper room when He is with His own knowing well of His soon departure.  The Lord began to comfort the troubled minds of the disciples saying, “Let not your heart be troubled”. He gave a number of reasons that could take away all their worries (John 14:1ff). Of course, even after His resurrection, He spent enough time with them to reassure and strengthen them for future work (Acts 1:3–8).

One of the assurances the Lord Jesus made during the upper room discourse was the soon coming of the Holy Spirit after His departure to abide with His followers forever. In fact, in this context the Holy Spirit is even called ‘another Comforter’, denoting the nature and work of the Spirit, John 14:16, 26 (KJV).

Just as promised, Christ did not leave His people ‘comfortless’, John 14:18 (KJV). The indwelling Holy Spirit, teaches, guides, equips, and empowers the believers (cf. John 14:16–18, 26; 15:26; 16:7–15).
Notice that the triune God is concerned and engaged in the ministry of encouragement. While the Holy Spirit works as a Comforter (parakletos) dwelling within us, the Lord Jesus works as a ‘Comforter’ (parakletos) from up above, 1 John 2:1.

What a wonderful divine provision for the well-being of God’s people! No wonder Apostle Paul writes with a grateful heart, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation…” (2Cori. 1:3, 4a).

As the ‘God of all comfort’, our Lord comforts and encourages us in all our situations, using all means (2Thess. 2:16).
So beloved, even if there is no one to stand with you as you face manifold hardships, take heart, the Lord takes note of it.

Consider the condition of people around us. Everyone is facing disturbing and painful experiences in one way or another. There is so much pressure, temptation, and disappointment. Even though most people prefer to stay silent, there are many who long for a word or even a gesture from their fellow brethren that can give them strength and relief.

If Apostle Paul who comforted others, even as a father and mother (1Thess. 2:7, 11 cf. 2Cor 1:6), cherished the encouragement he received from others, how much more a common man would long for the same! (2Cori. 7:6; Philem. v7, 20).

In his last epistle, Paul writes about those who refreshed his heart as well as those who harmed. Yet, there also he testifies, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (cf. 2Timo. 1:15–18; 4:10–17).

The method
How does the Lord comfort His people today? What are the different ways God uses to encourage His people? Let us consider a few without much explanation.

As Paul had experienced, even so in our darkest circumstances, the Lord graciously comes close to us to reassure us (2Tim. 4:17 cf. Acts 18:9; 23:11; 27:23, 24).

As we read, hear, and meditate upon the scripture, the Spirit of God applies those divine truths to our current needs.

Never underestimate the value of fellowship. It is in association with God’s people that we get edified and encouraged toward leading a fruitful life (Heb. 10:24; Colo. 3:16). Even the very presence of a child of God can strengthen a brother in his weakness (2Cor. 7:6).

The story of Job’s friends teaches us that more than our words even our silent support eases the pain of a distressed individual (Job 2:11–13; 13:13–15).

The Challenge
Often we don’t care much about the ministry of encouragement. Think of the role of Barnabas in shaping the ministry of Apostle Paul. Most of the achievers thankfully remember that someone influenced them for the better. It may be just a word or a simple deed, but it ignited a spark in them that did wonders, of course with the enabling grace of God.

Dr. Warren W. Wiesrbe says it was because of the encouragement of the then head of the Victor Books that he began to write the well-known expository commentary, “Be” series.

Our words are powerful! It can build up or pull down a life; it can give life and energy to others or weaken and destroy them (cf. Prov. 10: 11, 19–21). Let us take every effort to comfort, encourage, and edify one another, using our words and deeds, however simple they may be.

Make sure no one is destabilized or devastated because of our own actions or even inaction! Let’s comfort and encourage each other.

 

NTK

Related topic:  'O Come, All Ye Failures'   FAILURE AND DISAPPOINTMENT   

26/09/2023