Encouraged. People want to be encouraged, they want to know they have some form of value, that there is something about them that is profitable, something that gives them worth.
Politicians and religious leaders are well versed in dispensing encouragement, assisting people in feeling as if they are important, lifting them up as individuals worthy of recognition, as well as family and friends who will inform them that they are loved just as they are, no matter what.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16)
How do you expect the wicked to behave towards you when, after the truths of the Scriptures have been revealed to them of eternal love that awaits them, that if they do not repent and call on the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their soul, that the only value they will ever know for all eternity will be as the receptacle of the wrath of God?
The truth my friends is not always encouraging.
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” (1st Thess. 5:14)
It takes the love that only the Holy Spirit can place in us to console one whose loved one has died in their sins, for their grieving may be long. It takes a compassion that can reside in no one without the Holy Spirit to comfort those who see little value in themselves, who have lost their last thread of hope, who see death as the best alternative to a life that no one seems to see of any value.
The deception of despair is being spread across this planet like a wildfire, the cause is Satan, the effect is to lose any encouragement of brighter days ahead. And in all truth, this will happen.
“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matt. 24:22)
There is no hope for the wicked, and what little hope they are holding onto is a false hope, life in the approaching days will become a bitter trial.
We who rest assured in the promises of the Word of God are encouraged every day by the sight of the approaching darkness, we who are hid in Christ know a peace that passes all understanding, the truth that we have great value in the heart of our Father in heaven. But as we offer those we meet words of eternal encouragement, we see many reveal the truth of the first part of 1st Corinthians 1:18 to us.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.”
We see the truth of John 5:40, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”
If you grow weary in the work my friends, you can lose your encouragement, hearing the words of those who will not hear these truths offered to them can cause us to say with Jeremiah the first part of Jeremiah 20:9, “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” But the second half of that verse encourages us, strengthens our resolve, reminds us our time here is short, and if that person will not heed the call, perhaps the next one will.
We have put our hand to the plow, we have seen the strait gate, our faith in the promises is not diminished by anything or anyone in this world. We stand on the wall not just to warn those who will hear of eternal darkness, but to encourage those who will live forever in His eternal light.
Those people out there in the world are being trained to despair, to either trust in those who are bringing that despair or in their own selves in an attempt to rise above it.
Both will fail.
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
You carry within you the words of eternal life, of living waters, of eternal encouragement, and eternal hopelessness. Offer both truths to those you meet.
