Where does encouragement come from?
In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he urges the Christians to live a Christ-like life of love, unity and humility. But what is fascinating is that Paul starts off, not with the request or instruction, but a reminder of what they already have. (It's useful to know what is already in the tank when you're planning a trip...)In our reading Paul draws their attention to what they have 'in the tank' as it were, by asking a rhetorical question: "If you have any encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness and compassion..." (And the obvious answer is "Yes we do!")
Encouragement is the first on the list - so let's look more closely...
The Greek word for "encouragement" is 'paraklesis' and it occurs some 28 times in the New Testament. It is most often translated "encouragement", "consolation", "comfort" or "strengthen."
But what is most striking is how similar "encouragement" (paraklesis) is to "Holy Spirit" (parakletos). Both words come from the words "alongside" (para) + "calls/called" (kletos/klesis). In this sense "encouragement" means "the calling (cheering) voice beside us" and "Holy Spirit" means "the One who walks beside us (cheering us on)." That's pretty cool if you think about it... When we're encouraging people, we are doing what the Spirit does!
And Paul goes on to say that our encouragement comes from being united with Christ. Our love for and connection with Jesus is the source of our encouragement. What does that mean? It means that I am so loved that He came to earth for me and died in my place and adopts me as His own!! This amazing Good News gives me a sense of being loved, valued and considered worthy. This encourages, consoles, comforts and strengthens me!
So, when we encourage others, it comes from our connection to Jesus and what He did for us and when we encourage others, we are getting very very very close to the work that the Holy Spirit does!
| If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians2:1-2) |
