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Consider One Another: When? How?
So much of what it means to be a Christian comes back to the way we treat other people. Jesus Christ wants us to treat all people "the same way you want them to treat you," (Matthew 7:12). When it comes to our brothers and sisters in Christ, the New Testament includes many "one another" passages that tell us how to treat fellow Christians.
"and let's consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds," Hebrews 10:24
I need to consider you and you need to consider me. We are to consider how to encourage one another. This concept seems simple enough, but when do we actually consider one another, and how do we consider one another?
First, we have to understand that being considerate means more than just thinking of another person. My consideration of an individual should lead me to encourage that person. I need to encourage Christians to love, and I need to encourage Christians to maintain good deeds.
How? Well that really depends on who the other person is. There are at least two critical components to how I encourage my brother in Christ:
Our relationship - How well do I know my brother? Do I know his challenges? Am I familiar with the areas he needs encouragement?
Communication - I can't encourage unless I reach out to my brother. I have to make an effort to contact him!
This made for a particular challenge during the pandemic. While the pandemic is over, “social distancing” has unfortunately left a lingering impact on our society.
"exhort one another daily, while it is called 'today,'" Hebrews 3:13
Well that sure answers the question of "when." We are to consider and exhort one another every day. Logistically, it's unreasonable, (although not impossible), for every member to exhort every other member every single day. Yet we certainly should not let a day go by without exhorting at least one other Christian.
Okay, so in the course of your day, when do you encourage another? Most of us have a morning routine. Mine always involves coffee. We get ready for our day. Once we begin work, we focus on our tasks that need done. After our lunch break, sometimes the afternoon drags on until we can go home. Before we know it, dinner is on the table and our day is almost done. In all that time, have you considered how to encourage another Christian yet? Did you take time to make the visit, dial the number, or send the text? Were you just waiting until after dinner? Nothing is wrong with considering how to encourage another in the evening. The point is, do you do it? Or did you go through your entire day without considering how to encourage anyone?
Most people have some sort of daily routine. Let's examine our routines and work to make considering and encouraging one another a regular part of our day. S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chik-fil-A, once rightly said, "How do you identify someone who needs encouragement? That person is breathing." Everyone needs encouragement. We need to be a group of encouragers.
