Common Guard

www.bible.com/1713/heb.10.24-25.csb

Did you know that you have a responsibility to your fellow Christians? Perhaps one of the greatest sins we can commit against our fellow Christians is to discourage them. If you catch yo it fellow Christian in a sin, you are right to rebuke them, but you cannot leave them there. You cannot love another Christian’s life for them. Each of us needs to bear our own loads. But each of us can help bear one another’s burdens, lightening the load by offering encouragement.

Some time ago, one of my kids managed to destroy the door of our oven and stovetop. The stovetop was hopelessly cracked. It needed to be replaced, but our funds were needed elsewhere. My wife was so discouraged. She related this to a friend at church. Our friend gave us a check and said, “go get a new oven.” We had no expectation for such help, but it meant far more than an oven. For my wife and family, it was a shot in the arm that was far more effective as encouragement.

Are there people around you silently suffering? Offer encouragement. We can encourage by correction. But also by offering a kind word. By reminding them that the community is there for them. Do not neglect meeting together, because we all need the encouragement from week to week. If you try to practice this faith on your own, it will fail you when tested.

Look for someone today to encourage. It will help you both. God bless you today!