Mike’s Musings …
Letters of Encouragement
Have you ever received a card or a letter, unsigned, and the message read simply, “Just wanted to encourage you and let you know you are appreciated!” Wow! While you ponder who would send such a note, you also wonder what you might have done to have earned such a message from an unknown appreciative soul. At times, someone signs the note, and yet you still ponder the worthiness of such exhortation. There is no way for you to deny your appreciation for the message, but humility stifles your immediate acceptance of the accolade.
But let me remind you that the loving message of the gospel of Christ Jesus is just such a message! He signed it with His blood and sent it to you that you might know His love, His concern, His delight, and His desire for your soul! Further, the writers of the New Testament contributed to these messages of encouragement. Paul, Peter, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Jude – all these authors of letters within the New Testament were guided by the Holy Spirit to record what God the Father originally said (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2: 1- 4; John chapters 14 – 16; et al). While these letters contain some very pointed words of rebuke, even these speak with love for your soul! Letters of encouragement do not contain only compliments, but words expressing motivation to continue improving one's strength and vitality in accomplishing a goal not yet obtained. Letters of encouragement help us, “keep on keeping on,” as we journey toward the goal at the end of the race!
When Paul wrote his first and second letters to Timothy, he wrote to a man he considered “his son in the faith.” (1 1Timothy 1:2). These letters are letters of encouragement to a young man desirous of preaching the gospel and should be used as such today! In fact, there is no greater “training manual” for young men desirous of becoming gospel preachers than these two letters! But don’t forget Titus, which does the same. And for other Christians, letters like Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 1,2, and 3 John, 1 and 2 Corinthians, which encourage the saint toward every good work in Christ! Hebrews encourages us to realize the BETTER promises of God through Christ Jesus! Jame, 1 and 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation are beautiful letters of encouragement, especially when facing the severe trials of our faith!
I muse on such encouragement because we all need it, including the discipline associated with encouragement. And never negate the Old Testament. It encourages us too! (Romans 15:4) But like all letters of encouragement, you must read them to be encouraged by them!
