Consider This …

Posted on October 23, 2015 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

Consider This…

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24

They say that hind sight is 20/20 and most of us would agree that is true, to be able to have a “do over” at certain times seems to be a great option. I sometimes wonder what I can do to eliminate a bad choice or decision that could be life giving instead of life sucking, to be able to speak and act in a way that builds up instead of tearing down.

The verses in Hebrews 10:24, and 25 are sound advice that could lead to a favorable response or action, one that would not need a “do over”. But in order to recognize if we are in fact living out these principles let’s look at the command.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

A picture of a person focused on being an active participant, knowing how important fellowshipping with believers is and looks for the opportunity to encourage others. This is an important role for every one of us to display most of the time. It’s being someone who is authentic and does not flatter but is able to give constructive criticism when needed and it is usually received because the recipient knows that you care. Theodore Roosevelt said “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Now, let’s look at the antonym of this verse. “He who loves transgression loves strife,
And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction” Proverbs 17:19, or in 1^st Timothy 6:4 describes someone who “ is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions”. In other words someone who would hopefully desire a “do over”.

I know most of us don’t practice the latter verses but if we’re honest we are not always the aroma of Christ either. Why not purpose in our hearts to be the breath of life and consider one another before we act or speak? It is going to take the power of the Holy Spirit to have His way in us as we are committed to studying and practicing the things God desires us to do as we cooperate with Him. It’s daily surrender, dying to self and knowing our identity in Christ that leads to a victorious life that God has for us.

“May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”

These are the closing verse to Psalm 19, it’s a great Psalm to read to get us into the Spirit. Amen! – Rob Russomano serves full-time at America’s Keswick and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. You can email him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 27-29; 1 Timothy 3

Think About This: The concern for world evangelization is not something tacked on to a man’s personal Christianity, which he may take or leave as he chooses. It is rooted in the character of the God who has come to us in Christ Jesus. Thus, it can never be the province of a few enthusiasts, a sideline or a specialty of those who happen to have a bent that way. It is the distinctive mark of being a Christian. James S. Stewart

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20