encouraging?

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:19-25 ESV)

Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…

Are you encouraging?

Are the words you use helpful or hurtful? A lot can be learned from a pre-K classroom, where a lot of the time is learning how to live in community with people who are not your family. We learn how to get along and play nice with each other. We take time during the day to reflect on our actions. Are they helpful or hurtful? Is what I have done good for the good of the classroom, or is it hurtful?

When we are constantly pointing out others fault and telling them if they do not turn they will burn, is that helpful or hurtful? Is that kind of statement going to help someone seek after God. “You know if you do not stop doing that sinful thing you are doing then God will never want you to be with Him, so you can either stop that or else burn.” That statement to me really says that the cross of Jesus was not enough to cover the sins of everyone, and some peoples’ sins are more than the cross can handle…

Now we know that is not true and “we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.” Jesus’ blood covers everyone and everything and is good enough to wipe them all away. otherwise none of us can stand by faith in that.

So with everything you do ask if it is helpful or hurtful…

Are you encouraging others to seek after Him, or helping them see Him as someone who could never love them?