Tony Elder, Author/Pastor

Recently my wife and I enjoyed a couple of days at a retreat sponsored by our church association. It took place at a state park in North Georgia known for its waterfall. For those who wish to attempt it, there is a wooden structure of steps and decks one can climb or descend to go from the top of the falls to the bottom, or vice versa. A sign warns that it is a strenuous activity involving several hundred steps. On a previous visit to the park several years ago, I took the challenge and traversed that route. However, this time I chose not to give it a try, but rather drove to a spot where a short path led to a good view of the falls.

Later at our group’s evening gathering, our guest speaker for this event informed us that he had made that journey. He talked about how everyone along that route supported and encouraged one another with such declarations as “it’s not much farther” or “you can make it”. He suggested that this is how we should be as the followers of Jesus and fellow members of His church.

As I thought about his observation, it seems that applying that truth to our lives may be even more challenging to many of us than climbing those hundreds of steps would be. Unfortunately, all too often we tend to be negative and critical toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. Instead of encouraging one another, we are more likely to find fault with each other. We tend to tear each other down rather than build each other up. That is not how it ought to be. Paul told the church in Thessalonica, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another…” (I Thessalonians 5:11). Some translations use the word “encourage” instead of “comfort”. We should be cheering each other on as we take this journey together. We ought to be supporting our fellow travelers as they climb to greater heights in their relationship with the Lord, not discouraging them.

However, don’t misunderstand what I am saying. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t a time for correction or exposing error. If someone is straying off from the right pathway, it is only right and loving to point it out to them. Some correction can be gentle, but other times it may need to be more severe. Likewise, if there are those along the route who are guiding people to go the wrong way, maybe encouraging them to go a direction that could lead to harm and destruction, it is our obligation to expose those deceptive and dangerous individuals for who they are.

However, when it comes to people who truly love Jesus and are trusting Him, people who are sincerely seeking to follow Him, we need to do all we can to be supportive of them, especially the weak and the weary. We are all on the same team. We are striving toward the same goal. We are all wanting to know Jesus better and to submit to His will for our lives. So let’s help each other get to the top of that hill instead of throwing roadblocks in one another’s way or constantly berating each other. We may not all look alike, worship in the same style, belong to the same local congregation, or share similar views on secondary matters. Nevertheless, we are all followers of Jesus. We believe in those essentials about who Jesus is and the meaning of His death and resurrection. We have been born of His Spirit. We are all sojourners seeking the Lord and traveling toward our heavenly home. Let’s help each other get there.  

Therefore, as fellow believers cross our paths today and in the days ahead, let’s look for ways we can encourage and support them.