Exhorting Love

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today"; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

The word exhort in the Greek is parakaleo, meaning: come closely alongside for the sake of speaking, consoling, comforting, or assisting with instruction, counsel or advice.

We all need encouragement from brothers and sisters in the Lord who will lovingly attach themselves to us-watching us, making observations about us, and finding ways to provoke us unto love and good deeds. But we must also turn around and do the same for other believers. That's what the Body of Christ is all about!

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another and so much more as we see the Day approaching.

In this passage the word exhorting literally means: someone who is right alongside of a person, urging him, beseeching him, begging him to make some kind of correct decision.

In the ancient Greek world, military leaders would summons their troops together and speak straightforwardly with them about the potential dangers of the battlefield. The leaders would also tell their troops about the glories of winning major victories. If you see someone who is discouraged, or you know someone who has been struggling in his or her faith, go out of your way to encourage them today....We need to encourage and exhort the troops!!

My prayer is that we go out of our way to exhort, encourage and exemplify the love of Jesus Christ to all men.

Credit: Rick Renner - NKJV - Spark Gems - Greek Dictionary - HS - TM