AIM TO ENCOURAGE

"In this way he will be able to encourage others with the true teaching".  Titus 1:9 GNB People hold many different ideas about what Christian teaching is about. For some, it is about correcting people's sins. For others it is about denouncing the evils of the day. Yet others think it is about helping people to succeed. And again many consider it to be just cheering up those who are down. Paul taught those who teach and preach the Christian message that their aim should be to encourage. The true message does that. It lifts up those who are down. It challenges those who are on top of the world. It creates hope in those who have given up. It demands faith in those who find it easier to doubt than to believe. The word translated "encourage" is interesting. It is the word used elsewhere as the name or title of the Holy Spirit - advocate, counsellor, helper or comforter. The message about Jesus is a confident message - and one that encourages confidence in those who hear. It is a positive message that denounces only sparingly. It points people away from problems to the solutions of God and of Jesus. It is a strong message to the weak, a certain message to the uncertain, and a challenging message to the strong. It is easy to denounce - and hard to encourage. It is easy to go off on side issues and controversies. It is easier to teach on an interesting subject appealing only to people's minds than to help them to encounter God. Look for the message that is positive, strong and encouraging. Affirm it where you find and hear it. Question it when it's off key. Prayer thought: Lord, let your Holy Spirit inspire Christian teachers everywhere to encourage strong faith in their hearers.

POSTED BY FAITH FOR DAILY LIVING AT WEDNESDAY, JUNE , 2012