I’m sure that somewhere and at some point, Tabletalk readers have already heard the words of l?Anthem of the? West? Titled Home on the Range. The idyllic American cowboy felt “at home on the hill” for several reasons. One reason is that it was a house, where a discouraging word was rarely heard, a domestic environment where discouraging words were rare and words of encouragement abounded.
Our Lord expects his people to create environments like this not in the fantasy of a song, but in the reality of life: in our family homes and in the house of his family, the church, who is there?, Family of God?(Ephesians 2. 19). The house of God and our homes must be intentionally emptied of self-centered words of discouragement and filled with selfless words intended to “comfort” or encourage oneself. (see 1 Thessalonians 5. 11). But how does this happen in a world cursed by sin and full of discouraging words, how does this happen in the church, which is full of sinners saved by grace?
- Good houses have ‘house rules’.
- My house had them.
- But the same thing happens more strongly with the house of God.
- This issue of Tabletalk explores some of these ‘house rules’: warnings like?From the Word of God to God’s family.
- Are not suggestions from a family therapist.
- These are divine commandments.
- Including the commandment to “comfort.
- “Clearly.
- We must pray that the Spirit of God will give us the capacity and desire to establish churches and relationships where “a discouraging word is rarely “and a word of encouragement is often heard.
- But words of encouragement are not enough.
- They must be accompanied by attitudes of support.
- Here are two texts that prepare us to encourage each other?With words and deeds.
Encouraging each other with words
In Ephesians 4-6, Paul calls all who are: in Christ?get rid of the old man and “dress up in the new man. ” In 4:29, reveal four topics on how to fill our homes and churches with words of encouragement:
(1) Correct words. Vocabulary is critical, instead of nasty words?pollute listeners, use “uplifting” words to help them.
(2) Correct shape. Kind words demand an elegant tone when they “come out of our mouths. “
(3) Correct time. ? As requested?. There are often things to say that really need to be said, this is not the right time to say them.
(4) Good reason: “Thank those who listen. ” God’s grace motivates us and also instructs us to speak for the construction of the listener, not for our personal satisfaction.
Encouraging each other with facts
How can we practice acts of encouragement that amplifie our words of encouragement?Effective acts of love come and are shaped by god’s love that saves sinners in Christ. A classic text to educate and encourage us is Romans 5. 6. 8. Here we also find four themes:
(1) Love is active and visible. ” God shows his own love for us. “God’s love was visible and demonstrated when He gave his Son to give us life. And the Son of God gave us life through his own sacrifice. is to love each other through visible acts.
(2) Love is intentional and specific. God’s love opened a path, when there was no way to save sinners, and this is how Jesus: “Christ died for us. “God’s people do not practice “acts of random goodness. “Perform intentional acts of love that transform lives.
(3) Love is sacrificed and undeserved. Visible and intentional acts of love are also costly and undeserved. God gave his Son; The Son of God gave his life as a propitiation for all the sins of all his people; died for us. We needed it, but we didn’t want it; didn’t need us, but he loved us. God’s undeserved love sent the Son of God who gave himself for us to save us. As a result, when we love, we think about the needs of others arlier than our own.
(4) Love is timely and concerned. ” Christ died in due course for the wicked. “Encouraging acts of love are timely because those who spend time loving also spend time loving with consideration. Even when we face sin in the lives of others, we carefully seek to win over each other for the Lord and for the Lord.
When is God’s people lovingly encouraged?With words and deeds that exalt Christ, the message of the gospel is not only clarified, but amplified. More deeply, God is glorified when his family has a home, where a discouraging word is rarely heard.