Mutual Encouragement and Edification

God desired, intended, and deliberately planned for us to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ and not to suffer wrath (God's righteous indignation and just condemnation for our sin and rebellion). How merciful and gracious our God is! Jesus, the Lamb of God, bore the wrath and punishment we deserve. We, Christ's followers, have been delivered/rescued from God's wrath. On the other hand, the unsaved are under God's wrath. "Wrath is the destiny of Christ-rejecting souls." (Hiebert) God is just and at the same time, His love, grace, mercy, compassion, and patience are measureless! "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) God cannot be good if He does not hate evil. God cannot be just if He does not punish sin. Through our Lord Jesus Christ (Who satisfied God's wrath and paid for our punishment when He died on the cross), we have been saved from the penalty of sin (justification), we are being saved from the power of sin (sanctification), and we shall be saved from the presence of sin (glorification). He died for us so that we may live with Him for eternity. Paul points out that both the (saved) living and the (saved) dead will be forever living together (intimately united) with Christ. This clearly implies that Jesus did not stay dead but He is alive (He's resurrected). "If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living." (Romans 14:8-9)

Therefore because of the marvelous truth regarding our blessed hope of Christ's return, Paul exhorts us to encourage (comfort) and edify (build up) one another. Paul acknowledges that the believers in Thessalonica were already doing this and spurs them to excel even more. Knowing great truths about Christ's return should strengthen our hearts and minds and influence how we live our lives. May we come alongside one another and help one another face trials and difficulties with courage and confidence. Let's keep reminding one another that because Christ died for us and now lives in us, we would not have to experience the wrath of God in the day of the Lord. Let's build one another up in faith, love, and hope! Mutual encouragement and edification are needed in the Body of Christ for we live in a world of increasing spiritual darkness. When one encourages and edifies another person, both will benefit and be blessed.

"Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." (Hebrews 3:13)
"Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

Prayer: Thank You, Abba Father, for Your unending love, grace, and mercy! I am forever grateful for Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for me. Through Jesus, I received salvation, instead of Your wrath. Please help me faithfully share the gospel with those who need to hear. Please show me how I can best daily encourage and edify my brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.