“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…”

Once we are past the decision to embrace the new covenant and the new covenant bringer, it becomes our responsibility to encourage others to do the same thing. Loving others, especially our relatives in Christ, is right there with loving God. The fellowship of the saints is a precious thing and should be closely guarded by every child of God.

We are given two major considerations here. One is love, and the other is deeds. This love is, of course, the decision kind, not the emotional felt kind. This love is outward-oriented, not self-oriented. Each of us has the capacity to choose love as our reaction to others, but it is a choice, and we must make it. We are to love others because of what they are and not who they are. We love them because they too are children of God not because they are good to us or have some positive impact on our life. We do not use our own criteria for choosing whom to love, but we follow God’s example.

We are responsible for encouraging others. We are responsible for encouraging them to do good things for others. They, likewise, are responsible for encouraging us. This is why it is important for us to be together. The more time we can spend together, the more encouragement we can do. The more encouraging we do, the more good works get accomplished. God is glorified through those good works.

Task for Today: Easy one today. Practice love to those around you and get busy doing something nice for someone else.