HEBREWS 10:23-25

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.

TO PONDER

The Bible often makes the connection between spiritual health and maturity and physical health and training. I find that analogy helpful for this text too.

I have tried, at various times in my life, to get a regular exercise routine happening. I have signed up for gym memberships thinking that the financial investment might motivate me to get going. Sadly, that wasn't enough. I participated, a little more successfully in regular Saturday morning 'ParkRun' events and group cross training sessions where the presence of others working at the same thing as you did have a positive encouraging effect. But the most successful physical training I have ever done has been under the watchful eye of a personal trainer.

Now don't get me wrong, there were days when I thought my personal trainer had been personally sent by the devil himself to torture me as my muscles burned and protested under the days training routine, and yet without that trainer in my ear, spurring me on to do just one more squat, one more lunge, one more rep with the weights, I would never have seen the same kind of results. I was too inclined to give up at the first sign of struggle or pain.

It might not always be what we want to hear, but in a healthy and vibrant Christian community, people should be prepared to challenge and encourage one another to take their faith further, to trust God with bigger and bigger things. Challenged to lay down bad habits that endanger the spiritual health of the individual or the community and to take up behaviours and habits that edify and build up the faith of the individual and the community.

Unlike the rest of the world, which seems to immediately respond with outrage and offence when people challenge or question their beliefs or actions, people in a healthy and vibrant Christian community should respond with gratitude when their community challenges or encourages them to take greater strides along the path of following Jesus. Perhaps that is a challenge for you today?

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, Thank you for the Christian community you have placed around me. Help me to appreciate the spurring on and the challenge and encouragement that they offer. Please help me to not react with offence or anger when you use my Christian friends and family to gently correct and guide me on the path of following you. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.