Dear Redeeming Grace,

Last week, Dave reminded us that the church needs master encouragers like Barnabas. Men and women who highlight where God's grace is at work and help others look more like Christ.

What a great joy that the church is one of the main contexts where this kind of encouragement happens. Listen to how the writer of Hebrews instructs us:

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

Notice that the writer contrasts not meeting together with encouraging one another. When we gather, we have the opportunity to thoughtfully stir one another to love and to good works. I love the imagery of encouragement as stirring up Christlikeness.

God has given us so much grace in the gift of one another. Let's pray that God would help us see and savor his grace in each other and strive to be encouragers "all the more".