Thesis 89 We must encourage greatly.
The Holy Spirit is called by Jesus the paraclete, or Comforter. While I would never want to diminish the value of the comfort the Spirit gives, we might do well to look more deeply at the root meaning of comfort. Com, the prefix, means with, while fort comes from forte which means strength. The Spirit Jesus promises in John 14:16 comes with strength. In a similar way, to encourage, based on its root, doesn’t mean merely to speak well to another, but reminds us that speaking well to another blesses them with courage. It strengthens their resolve in the face of battle.
Just as we are called to correct gently, so we are called to encourage greatly. Which, for some of us, can be hard. Perhaps because we’ve been schooled in the biblical notion of total depravity, we seem more inclined to point out the flaws of others than their strengths. We tend to be glass half empty people. One old friend of mine had a long and successful career as a Christian musician. When I saw him live it seemed like he was just pounding on his piano while delivering a Jeremiad, a sermon of judgment. Then, however, he spoke to the audience about some wisdom he had received from his wife. She had said to him, “You always sing about what you’re against. Why don’t you try singing about what you are for?” And so he did.
In our interactions with each other in our local body, are we more apt to grumble about whomever isn’t there, or to give thanks for those that are? Are we more likely to complain about weaknesses that remain, or strengths that are being strengthened? We are dragged down by droning denunciations. Words of encouragement, on the other hand, put wind in our sails.
The book of Acts introduces us to Barnabas, which being translated means “Son of Encouragement.” When my dear wife and I had just begun dating she asked me what I might come up with as a nickname for her. I named her “Batnabas.” True, it doesn’t roll right off the tongue. It doesn’t have any poetic panache. But it describes her well, as it means, “Daughter of encouragement.” She has an uncanny knack not only for speaking just what I need to hear, but does the same for our boys, and her friends, and so many others in our lives.
We won’t, of course, bring a new reformation through flattery. Blowing smoke never kindled a reformation. Genuine encouragement, however, begets courage. I’ve long argued that as sound and right as he was on justification, the defining quality of Luther was courage. Which was precisely the need of the hour. Just as it is in our day. Look for opportunities to use your voice to encourage. Be alert. Remember that your heavenly Father is, because of our elder Brother, well pleased with you and your siblings in the faith. So let us speak to each other the words of our Master, well done though good and faithful servant.