Be Encouraging

While the Apostle Paul was willing to take disciples to task for casual living, he was quite frequently encouraging believers to continue in the commitment they made when they repented, were baptized and began to walk in Jesus. He often reminded disciples of all the change that had taken place in them when they humbled themselves and became disciples of Christ.

For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. ¹

They are not what they once were and do not need to live in the old ways. They are to leave the past behind and walk in this newness of life in Jesus who has given them the equipping in the Spirit of God to be successful in Him.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. ²

Not only has their present life changed but they are encouraged that no matter our condition or which side of Eternity, they are in Jesus, alive in the Creator and Savior who has become their Advocate before the Father. He is their sufficiency. Because they have all they need for the Christ-life, they are to continue to edify one another in Jesus, to encourage continuance and growth in the LORD.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. ³

Keep it up! In Jesus. Amen