“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” — Hebrews 10:22-25 (ESV)
Idioms such as “stir the pot” and “stirring up a hornet’s nest” project a negative connotation often associated with provoking anger and irritation. While some of us may confess to knowing or being people especially gifted in this divisive activity, God’s challenge is for us to reflect and direct our minds (“consider”) to the positive results of “love and good works.”
The phrase “stir up” carries the idea of “spurring on” and “rousing to action.” Two words that may best capture our responsibility to one another in this passage are “stimulate” and “motivate.” The words and life of a Christian should stimulate and motivate others to love and serve Jesus Christ.
This is best accomplished when believers are faithful in fellowship and accountability with one another (“not neglecting to meet together”). God’s primary agency on earth for fulfilling this function until Jesus returns is the Church. If you are not already, get active in a local, Bible-teaching church in your community. If you grew up in the Church, you may be familiar with how impactful and missionful the Church can be. Or perhaps you’ve been hurt by the people within a church. Maybe you have little to no experience with the Church and are hesitant to jump in.
Dive in. Go for it. Don’t worry about how imperfect the people or organization of the Church can be; concern yourself with the calling God has for you to get involved and help the Church be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth.
— Jeff Totten, Detroit Tigers chaplain
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