How to Build up Each Other

Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.—1 Thessalonians 5:11

While Paul's exhortation here is excellent, it is the style of the exhortation we should especially notice. We live in an age where we are constantly pressured to emphasize the novel, new, or improved versions of things. But in our lives as Christians, our knowledge always exceeds our obedience. So more often than we like to think, we need to remind each other of what we are doing right and just simply say, "Hey, you're doing well; just keep doing what you're doing!"

If you take time to study the whole of 1 Thessalonians, you will discover that Apostle Paul was not telling them to do something strange or something he hasn't done himself and shown them to do so by living as example to them. They were already doing it, so he wrote to encourage them to keep doing what they were already doing.

Our knowledge exceeds our obedience because a man will obey only according to the level of knowledge he has acquired and even God deals with us according to our level of knowledge of Who He is.

We need to encourage brethren who are standing firm to keep doing so. Let's learn to build ourselves up by encouraging each other. It wouldn't take anything from us to encourage ourselves. Tell that brother and sister that has kept themselves, "the Lord is proud of you". Tell the sister and brother that wants to make it the right way, "that you can make it". Let's build ourselves by encouraging each other.

This encouragement comes out of a sincere heart of love that cannot be bought or influenced by money or worldly things. Love that looks out for the good of others without any feeling or thought of intimidation. The love that looks out for the well being of a brother/sister unconditionally and without competition. I know one brother like that, he is Bro. Gbenga Ominiyi. He desires and makes effort for everyone around him to be as comfortable as he is. 

Prayer: Faithful Father, thank you for noticing and keeping record of the things I've done that are good and pleasing to you. Please help me to keep doing those things that please you, only better, that you may be pleased and glorified. In Jesus name. Amen.