Let’s consider how to provoke (stirring, spurring, motivating) one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25 WEB)
As followers of Christ, we are called to live in a way that reflects His love and grace in every aspect of our lives. Hebrews 10:24 encourages us to not only live out our faith individually but also to inspire and encourage others to do the same. This verse is a powerful reminder that our Christian walk is not a solo journey; it is one we take together, supporting and uplifting one another in love and good works.
Humility in Service
Jesus teaches us in Luke 14:7-13 the importance of humility when serving others. In this passage, He shares a parable about choosing the lower place at a banquet, illustrating that our service to God and others should not be about seeking recognition or honor. Instead, we are to put others before ourselves, recognizing that true greatness in the Kingdom of God comes from serving with humility. This mindset helps us to motivate each other, not out of pride, but out of genuine love and a desire to see others flourish in their walk with Christ.
Thinking of Others First
In Matthew 20:26-27, Jesus tells His disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” These verses challenge us to shift our focus away from ourselves and toward others. In a world that often encourages self-promotion, Jesus calls us to a life of self-denial and service. By thinking more about others and less about ourselves, we model the servant leadership that Christ exemplified. This attitude naturally leads to acts of love and good works as we seek to meet the needs of those around us.
The Christian Competitive Sport
Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.” This verse presents a beautiful picture of what it means to be a part of the body of Christ. The idea of “outdoing” one another in honor is almost like a Christian competitive sport, but one where the goal is not to exalt ourselves, but to lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we strive to honor others more than ourselves, we create a culture of love, respect, and mutual encouragement within the church. This, in turn, motivates us all to greater acts of love and service, fulfilling the command in Hebrews 10:24.
The Stirring Conclusion
As we reflect on these scriptures, let us commit to being intentional about stirring one another to love and good works. Whether through humble service, putting others first, or striving to outdo one another in honor, let our lives be a reflection of Christ’s love. In doing so, we build up the body of Christ and bring glory to God in all that we do.
Digging Deeper:
- Encourage one another to take courage be strong – Jesus said, “take courage be strong” to be emboldened from within with unflinching courage.
- Live like the humble savior who washed your feet – Before we can live in the resurrection power of the risen Christ, we must live as the humble savior who washed the feet of the disciples.
- 101 Verses on Walking With One Another – The consistent Bible teaching on walking with one another is astonishing from the Ten Commandments through the Church epistles.