Hebrews 10:24– “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”
Every day each of us find ourselves deeply involved in many different relationships. We are daughters or sons, mothers or fathers, and sisters or brothers. We are wives and husbands; we are co-workers, teachers and friends. For many of us, we wear several “hats” at any given time every day. However, for many of us, we never give it a second thought. We care for our spouses and our children. We lend an understanding ear to our friends and we sometimes don’t even recognize our roles as teachers. But I can’t help but wonder how different our lives would be, how different the world would be, and how rich our relationships would be if we but lingered in Hebrews 10:24 and applied it daily to our lives.
The writer of Hebrews, inspired by God, had these very wise words to say to us. He said, ” And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. ” Let’s take a close look at what he is telling us so we might discover the treasure hidden within this verse and apply it to our every day lives. First, he said to consider one another. What does it mean to consider one another? Webster defines the word consider as to think or ponder in one meaning, to heed or regard in another and to believe in yet another. Can you imagine what a difference it would make if within our individual relationships we operated with the standard of thinking of the other person first and foremost, of pondering what was best for them? All too often we just go head first into our days trampling on those in our paths without any thought whatsoever about what they may be feeling or needing. And what about the power of regarding someone else and heeding to what is best for them? There is so much power to be found in moving in and around your relationships having the other as your primary focus. This power is not the kind that manipulates or destroys but is the kind that builds and breaks down barriers. It is the power that gently pushes others into a right relationship and into behaviors that strengthens your relationships. But, perhaps the most valuable and amazing power found by considering one another is found in the final meaning of the word. Oh, what doors are opened when we believe in one another. Believing in one another eliminates many petty arguments, disarms the devil and his attempt to divide, and empowers the other one to soar to heights never before imagined. It allows them to feel, here on earth, what Jesus meant when He said in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” It gives the other one the courage to continue, the strength to overcome, and first and foremost, it shows them Jesus in you. Believing in another is a true testimony of your love for them. And, loving one another is so important that Jesus mentions it as a commandment for us to follow, not just once, but three times in the book of John alone. In John 13:34 He says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” In John 15:12 He says, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” And in
John 15:17 He says, “These things I command you, that ye love one another.” He makes it abundantly clear that we are to love one another and in Hebrews 10:24 He is showing us how to do this. It all begins with considering one another and to love as He loves means to consider them above yourself.
The writer in Hebrews continues His thought on considering one another by explaining to us the wonderful fruits produced by considering one another. He tells us to “provoke unto love and to good works:” So many of us just don’t realize the influence we have on others. We just simply don’t recognize the power our words and actions have on those around us and on those with whom God has created a relationship for us to enjoy. He tells us to provoke them to love and to good works. All too often our words do provoke, but they don’t provoke to love or good works. We live our lives as if we are on an island to ourselves. We think only of those things that we want or need. We filter everything through the eyes of “big me and little you.” We just don’t operate out of a heart of love or with the motive to inspire those around us to do good and mighty things. Perhaps even more dreadful is the fact that we don’t even take the time to consider even those, because of the blessings of God, with whom we enjoy precious relationships. We just completely ignore the wisdom in Hebrews 10:24 that says the key to a successful relationship is to consider one another and to provoke one another to love and good works. We so often miss the opportunity to love away the hurts of others, to make the pathway clear and smoother for others. We just don’t love as He has commanded us or as He loves us. We may talk about loving one another, but our actions don’t back up those words. Instead of speaking words that encourage and build up, that strengthen and uplift, it is not uncommon to find us tearing down one another or provoking one another to wrath. Then we wonder why our marriages fail, our friendships fall apart, our families are shattered, and our lives turn up empty. The reasons for this brokenness may be very complicated but it always begins with taking our eyes off of one another and putting them on ourselves. It always starts because we do not consider one another. But, my friend, all is not lost; our God specializes in mending broken hearts and picking up broken pieces. In I John 1:9 He says, ” If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ” Therefore, from this moment forward, you can begin to live in love, and have the relationships He has intended for you to have. You must purpose in your heart to live as Paul in Galatians encourages you to live when he says, ” Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:26).