Provoked to Good Works
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
The poet John Donne wrote a poem entitled “No Man Is An Island” in which he made the point that no one lives to himself or herself. Some might endeavor to live only for themselves, but they will be some of the most miserable people on earth. God designed man to have a relationship with Him and with other folks. When God made Adam, He said, “It is not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). That’s when God made Eve, a mate suitable for Adam, not beneath him or above him, but for a mutual, loving relationship and companionship to grow together in the grace of God.
Being alone stinks! It is a hard life to live alone. Being alone at times can have benefits, but being alone most of the time can contribute to lethargy, depression, and a lack of motivation. Simple things that we take for granted become things to dread because we have to do them alone. The best way to get out of the doldrums is to find someone to whom to be a blessing. However, even living in a house full of folks, it can be difficult to get motivated to get up and get busy doing good works and serving the Lord. Sometimes I find myself having a hard time to get motivated, but once I step out and begin, I find that I don’t want to stop. It seems like, at least to me, the lack of motivation is a huge hindrance to good works.
We are accountable to the Lord, and we are also accountable to each other. We build on each other’s foundation adding block by block our contributions of encouragement and exhortations. We learn from one another. The writer of Hebrews also exhorts believers to gather on a regular basis to worship, learn, and encourage one another. Some claim that they can worship in nature, and that is true, but corporate worship with like-minded believers provides a strength and growth that cannot be attained alone.
The writer also urges God’s people to get busy serving God and serving others because the day is approaching. What day is he talking about? For those who are students of God’s word, we know that the world as we know it is all going to “hit the fan” one of these days. Judging by the way things are going now, it may be sooner rather than later. Thus we need to make the most of the time that we have now to express our love for God and for others and to set the example for others by doing good works and serving God because that’s all that really counts in the final analysis.