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Encouraging Others
The Gift of Inspiring "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Todd Alexander J anuary is an excellent time to look inward and consider how we may better use our talents and natural gifts in God’s service. If anyone doubts that they have any special gifts, let them consider an often overlooked gift, that of inspiring — motivating — others.The Apostle Paul uses the words "consider" and "provoke" to describe how we might be more effective in fellowship. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" (Hebrews 10:24). According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, the word provoke, from the Greek paroxusmos (Strong’s 3948) denotes "a stimulation" (English, "paroxysm"). Vine says that a literal rendering of the phrase would be "unto a stimulation (of love)."Today, rather than the word "provoke," we might use the word "inspire" to express Paul’s admonition. This is not the "God-breathed" inspiration which makes the Bible His word, but the motivating influence that inspires fellow Christians to engage in a work. Consider that each of us, though not an apostle, has an ability to inspire others just as Paul did through his ministry. This is not a gift of the spirit that was given only to the apostles. It is a common gift to all who will develop it. Some find it easy and natural to inspire others. Paul admonishes all Christians to practice it. A primary application of this gift is in fellowship with brethren. Paul was profoundly inspired to engage in his service by his encounter with the glorified Jesus. Similarly, he was inspired in his ministry to the Gentiles by his fel- low apostles. Thus he advised others, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another" (Hebrews 10:25). Paul considered inspiring others an important element of his ministry and urged others to develop this gift as well. Let us consider seven ways in which we can inspire others based on the examples of Paul. Questions Questions guide us. Our resurrected Lord confronted Saul on the road to Damascus with the question, "Why persecutest thou me" (Acts 26:14)? This question cut to the very core of Saul’s purpose in life. His conscience was pricked. He was then inspired to a lifetime of obedience and suffering on behalf of Jesus Christ. Asking a question is an ideal way to help others find the right path because it activates their conscience and can redirect them from a wayward path. A few years later Paul asked Peter a penetrating question: "Why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews" (Galatians 2:14)? This question cut to Peter’s heart. Paul knew that Peter wanted to do the right thing. Paul inspired Peter to make a change. Peter showed his own gratitude with a later reference to "our beloved brother Paul" (2 Peter 3:15). Penetrating questions asked gently in love can be very effective. Love Love can win seemingly impossible battles. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another" (Romans 12:9-10). Perhaps his acceptance by those whom he formerly persecuted led Paul to emphasize the power of love in inspiring a new beginning. Paul lived with the regret of his persecutions, but felt the warmth of love from his Christian brethren. Love should give us a sense of urgency. "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead" (2 Corinthians 5:14). The Greek word for constraineth is synecho (Strong’s 4912) and means to "hold together or to compel." The love of Christ sets the direction for our life and, when we reflect that love to others, it inspires them in the same direction. Love is not a restraint that keeps us from doing what we want, but a constraint that guides us to the goal, like the rails do for a locomotive.Hope A popular saying is, "Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope." Paul knew the importance of hope. He inspired others through recalling the hopes of powerful characters such as Abraham; "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations" (Romans 4:18). Paul’s life work is one of the greatest examples of living a life of hope. "We might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:18-19). Ananias realized the daunting task Jesus had given to his new Apostle: "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake" (Acts 9:15-16). Hope compelled the imprisoned apostle to feed the Lord’s people through his inspirational letters. Paul’s example and word inspire us to keep hope. We should do the same for others. Integrity The word integrity, from the word integer, means "whole" and refers to the whole person. When Timothy shrank from service because of his youth, Paul reminded Timothy of both his mother’s and his grandmother’s faith (2 Timothy 1:2-12). Paul awakened Timothy to view himself in the context of his third-generation inheritance of faith. It is sometimes difficult to maintain integrity in a culture with a value system so different from that of the consecrated Christian. However, notable characters such as Nehemiah, Joseph and Daniel found themselves in similar circumstances yet maintained their integrity through strong faith in Jehovah. Each found favor with God and were delivered from their dire circumstances. When others are discouraged, we can use the example of these Old Testament saints to help others maintain their spirit of dedication when they find themselves in times of difficulty (1 Corinthians 10:11). Power Spiritual power comes from a greater measure of holy Spirit feeding our spiritual mind. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). There were many times when Paul might have felt helpless. He was adrift in the deep. He was beaten and imprisoned. He knew the power of God had been shown in those such as Joseph and Daniel, both of whom were brought before kings (Genesis 41:14-49, Daniel 5:10-28). When Paul was brought before Felix and Festus, he exhibited similar spiritual power as Joseph and Daniel. Today, many struggle to find the ability to step forward and speak out for their faith. Encouraging them through Paul’s life and words can inspire them to do so. Purpose Christian purpose is stated in Romans 12: 1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Consecration begins a new life of transformation. It requires us to put life’s travails in context. Our experiences are not meant to discourage us but to develop us as new creatures. Paul never stopped progressing on his journey to become a complete Christian. He said, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). This simple statement described the purpose of his life. It gave him a single-minded focus on carrying out the work which Jehovah God gave him to do. Reminding others of Paul’s words that consecration begins, not completes, a Christian life can inspire them to continue when life’s struggles overwhelm them. Stories Stories synthesize and engage. "For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar" (Galatians 4:22-24). To help Galatian Christians understand the transition from the Jewish Age to the Gospel Age, Paul used an allegory based on Abraham and his family.By using allegories and metaphors, Paul inspired his hearers to connect their spiritual senses to the principles of God. Likewise, great stories of faith and obedience in the scriptures and from the lives of our brethren can be recounted over and over again, helping each of us to learn the principles of doctrine and of character. The gift of inspiring others can be used continually to serve our brethren. Paul’s life and writings abound with examples of how to apply it in our ministry to others. Let each of us follow his commitment to provoking others to love and good works.
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