Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs.Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.
No one has ever seen God but if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us.My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.Blessed are those who have regard for the weak the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 It does not insist on its own way it is not irritable or resentful it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love is patient and kind love does not envy or boast it is not arrogant or rude.Use all of your abilities and opportunities to encourage and be part of helping someone grow closer to the Lord. In addition, your encouragement may take place through a particular means, such as music, writing, or a particular ministry. As you do, you may notice you have a special ability in this area. How can you know if you are gifted at encouragement? Start with encouraging other people today. When King Josiah helped return his people to the Lord in the Old Testament, he used encouragement to assist in the process: "He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 35:2). Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it" (Deuteronomy 1:38). He was commanded to encourage Joshua who would be the leader to take the Israelites into the Promised Land: "Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. God revealed his giftedness through his life lived for Christ.Īnother example can be found in the life of Moses. He would become known as a son of encouragement and later helped bring Paul into the church as a leader. Barnabas sold a field he had to give the money to the church (Acts 4:36-37). One of the strongest examples found in the New Testament is Barnabas. However, some believers are especially gifted in encouragement. For example, his teaching regarding the rapture of believers was concluded with, "Therefore encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Paul sought to encourage believers through his visits (Romans 1:11-12), his many letters, and his prayers. Believers can encourage one another through time together, encouraging words, letters, prayers, and other means. The Holy Spirit is referred to as our Paraclete in John 14:16 as One who comes alongside the believer to comfort and help in times of need.Īll Christians are called to encourage others: "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The word encouragement used in this verse is from the Greek word parakletos that can mean to exhort, come alongside of, comfort, or encourage. The gift of encouragement is listed in Romans 12:8 as a spiritual gift (some translations use "exhortation"). The spiritual gift of encouragement – What is it?
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