All-In Discipleship Encouragement

Nurturing a healthy spiritual climate

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
-1 Thessalonians 5:11

God’s Word calls us to encourage one another and to build each other up. That sounds like what Christians do! However, as we all struggle with our sinful nature, it may not be as easy as it sounds. God calls us to love and forgive each other but the devil is all too happy to sow discord, strife and even hatred in the church. Thank God that His Word overcomes the devil!

Through this Christian habit, each of us is called to contribute to a healthy spiritual climate at St. Lucas. This means that we “encourage and build one another up” by intentionally speaking in a positive way, avoiding being the source of discord, and encouraging everyone to build unity.

How is this done?

  • Love and forgive — It starts with the heart! We remember that God loves us and has forgiven us far more than we can imagine (Ephesians 4:32)“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”. In the same way, we have an attitude of compassion (agape love) toward others that is eager to overlook offense and seek reconciliation. We’re all in this together!
  • Engage in spiritual conversations — There’s more to talk about than the weather. God’s people speak of the praiseworthy things of God (Philippians 4:8)“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”. It’s easy to play it safe and not bring God into our conversations, even among fellow Christians. “To build one another up” means that God and His grace are consistently brought into our conversations every time we’re together.

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