Stronger Together: Lifting Up the Brethren
Daily Devo: June 19, 2025
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ~ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Encouragement is more than just giving a kind word to someone. It is a spiritual lifeline among fellow believers that keeps us together and ensures that we are never alone on our journey of faith. We are told here to edify one another. We are to build one another up and never be accused of tearing anyone down. We are to give words of goodness and kindness as well as commit acts of goodness and kindness. We are to treat others as we would have them treat us. It comes down to loving one another as Christ loved us. (Mt 7:12 / Jn 13:34 / 15:12)
The strength of the New Testament Church is not found in individual effort. It is found in the unity of believers. Unity is not about uniformity; it is about having unity with harmony; every part working together in harmony with each other. We are all on the same page as we serve and help and encourage multiple ministries within the church. Some ministries work for the good of the membership, some for the good of those who visit, and some ministries reach out to the world to bring others to the saving knowledge of Christ. Our strength comes from the bond of love which is the cord that binds us all together. (Ecc 4:12)
Just as iron sharpens iron, we are to sharpen one another’s countenance through our love for one another. We reach out to those who may slip and fall. We come to them in humility, not to condone wrongdoing, but to love them, encourage them, and help them find their way. Our only motive should be the love of God in Christ that is bestowed upon us. We are to have the heart of Christ which is a heart that is kind, loving, compassionate, and forgiving. We do not condone, but we do not condemn either because our Lord is the Judge of the quick and the dead. Through encouraging one another in the Lord we weave a foundation of faith that withstands all adversity. (Pro 27:17 / Gal 6:1-2 / 2 Tm 4:1)
Your spoken word has great power; it can build someone up or it can tear someone down. We need to think before we speak. We must use our speech to build not to destroy. When Paul tried to join with believers after his conversion, many did not trust him and many others just feared him. This is Saul of Tarsus, the great Christian persecutor, the one who had Stephen stoned and countless others were arrested and mistreated. Yet Barnabas, whose name means “son of consolation”, spoke on his behalf. He affirmed Paul’s conversion, his supernatural transformation, and his glorious calling. His words encouraged Paul and the other believers and gave credibility to Paul among the believers. This allowed him to be able to step into the ministry with great confidence. Without Barnabas, Paul’s journey may have been different. It could have had a detrimental impact on the spread of the Gospel around the world. (Acts 9:26-27)
When someone is struggling with self-doubt before an event or something they must do, we are to step up and encourage them with Scripture, pray with them, and give them words of encouragement. We are to strengthen them when they are weak, walk with them when they feel alone, and pick them up when they feel downtrodden. We are to remind them that God is with them, He is there to help them and to give them success with whatever they are struggling with. They can do whatever it is because God has prepared them, He is in control, He is with them, and they can do anything He gives them to do because He enables, equips, and empowers. Simple, uplifting words can breathe life into someone’s spirit and help them overcome fear and walk with boldness in the moment or struggle they are facing with great courage.
The community of the local church body is more than just a social support structure. It is true fellowship where we gather together and lift one another in love, prayer, and unwavering support. We are to come together to incite one another to love each other, to love our fellowman, and to even strive to love our enemies. We are to compel and propel one another to do good works in the church, in our communities, and around the world. A community that is grounded in encouragement will reflect the heart of Christ, show forth the love of Christ, and conduct the work of Christ, proving out His transformative power of unity to a lost and dying world. (Heb 10:24-25 / Mt 5:43-46)
God designed us to thrive in relationship together, knowing that when we stand with each other, the burdens of life become lighter, and the victories are more joyful. Our strength is multiplied when we embrace our divine calling to uplift and fortify one another in faith.
In a world where we are demanded to compartmentalize our life of faith, to leave our faith at home and in the church house, to isolate who we truly are in Christ from the world, God calls us to something far greater. He calls us to strength through unity, faith through encouragement, and victory through love. We are not meant to walk this journey alone. Each word of kindness, every word of support, and each moment of shared faith builds a foundation upon which we stand. So let us commit to lifting one another, strengthening the weary, and speaking positive words of encouraging life into those around us. United we stand, divided we fall. We are stronger together, we are unshaken in Christ, and this is the power of the brethren united in Christ.
Todd Taylor, Th.D.