In many of Paul’s epistles, he mentions the theme, encouragement. In Romans, he reveals that our faith should encourage each other (1:12), that Scripture gives encouragement (15:4) and that God is a God of “endurance and encouragement (15:5).” In 1 Thessalonians, he says we are to encourage the fainthearted (15:14). And, in Philippians, that Christ is the ultimate source of encouragement.
I mention the Pauline epistles in order to show you, the CBU community, the purpose of The Banner’s editorial section, to encourage.
I’m not saying I think my words, or the words of other Banner editors that will also contribute to this section, should be taken as Biblically authoritative (definitely not) but I hope this will be a space where we can uplift fellow believers, which is what Paul did in his letters and is a primary function of the church.
Hebrews 3:13 says, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Earlier in this chapter of Hebrews, the author warns against unbelief, and insinuates that it is the collective body of believer’s responsibility to “see to it” that no one has “an unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” It is really amazing that by exhorting (encouraging) one another, we can keep each other from turning away from God.
So, I guess my hope is that this little editorial section can provide a fraction of the encouragement one needs for Godly living. Let us all supply the rest!
Check back for words of encouragement in later issues this semester.
