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The church helps us to stir up one another

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

The book of Hebrews urges us to meet together as believers, since this is a great opportunity to stir up one another and to encourage one another. If we can’t meet physically, this mutual support is also possible by phone calls, emails, or other means of communication. The Bible itself contains many letters from the apostles to churches and individuals they could not meet in person. However, this does not fully replace a real meeting. As the apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Thessalonians: “Since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face…” (1 Thessalonians 2:17).

Every Christian needs encouragement and admonition from time to time. As Peter says: “I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder” (2 Peter 1:13). Otherwise, the cares of this world can choke our faith and distract us from the great truths of the Gospel. Meeting together as believers is a great opportunity to keep one another “on track”.

Do you regularly meet other Christians? Do these meetings stir you up to love and good works?