Encouragement Is For Believers

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. [1 Thessalonians 5.9-11]

According to the Apostle Paul, Kingdom work includes encouraging each other and building each other up.

We need to be very clear though about who it is that we are to encourage! We are to encourage fellow believers in Christ. Otherwise there is no encouragement for those who reject Him.

The Message of the Cross is simple. The Message of the Cross is poignant. To those who believe, the Cross is wonderful. To those who reject Jesus, the Cross is their demise. 

The Message of the Cross is not encouragement to unbelievers! It is a call to death! It is a call to the surrender of all.

But! For those who believe, the Cross is very much an encouragement. It is a symbol of true love and sacrifice. It symbolizes our very salvation.

So, lest we get confused on who we are to encourage and who we are to warn, we should be very clear that encouragement belongs to the household of God. Warning is for those who have yet to believe.

If unbelievers are mistakenly encouraged in their current status, then how will they ever be saved? Can you see how dangerous this is?

The great thing is, Jesus' warning comes with an invitation! "Come unto Me..."

Father, help believers everywhere to see the need for encouragement among other believers. Help us likewise to realize the need to warn unbelievers but also to offer Christ's invitation to them!