When God created Adam, the very first human, in the book of Genesis, He knew that Adam did not need to be the only human, so He created Eve. God knew from the very beginning that humans were not meant to live life alone. We have always been meant to live life in community. Why? We need each other. Particularly, we need encouragement from each other to keep going and keep following Christ, especially when we feel discouraged. As fully devoted followers of Christ living here on this earth, we must regularly encourage each other to keep going and keep following Christ through every step we take: the good, the bad, and everything in between.
In a world with so much brokenness and darkness, the apostle Paul implored followers of Christ to encourage each other in 1st Thessalonians 5. In this passage of Scripture, he reminded Christians in the church in Thessalonica that one day, Jesus is going to return, and His return will be unexpected. He continued to write, “So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of God’s salvation” (verses 6-8). This world is full of darkness. It is full of sin, pain, and all kinds of evils. As followers of Christ, we are, as Paul writes, “children of the light.” We have to stand firm, fully rooted in Christ Jesus, ready for Christ’s return. In light of Jesus’ return, Paul concluded, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” (verse 11). In the midst of the heartache and chaos of this world filled with sin, we followers of Christ must continue to encourage each other. We must encourage each other to keep going, every day, and especially when we face struggles and trials. After all, one day Jesus is going to return and make everything right that sin and death destroyed.
This life is hard. The world is filled with darkness and all kinds of evils. My friend, we need each other. We need to encourage each other to keep going. We need to remind each other that this world is not our home. Jesus is returning one day. Until then, our mission is to keep going, knowing Christ and making Christ known every single day as fully devoted followers of Christ and to encourage everyone around us to do the same.
Who do you know who needs encouragement today? Reach out to them today. Remind them that God is with them and that He is still in control. Encourage them to keep following Jesus and walking with Him, even when life is hard. Commit to carrying this spirit of encouragement with you every single day.
1Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.
27 I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
