Bible Students

A. Encourage one another lest you become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13, 10:25).

Sin is a dangerous trap, and lives most fully when people are isolated. The existence of the Christian community is a danger to sin. When Christians are together, they are able to call out one another far more than if the individual was alone. Christians must not only call out one another, because only condemning them will discourage them into going against the community. Christians must rebuke and encourage one another, because in encouragement they are brought closer to the Lord, rather than being pushed away in shame. 

B. Stimulate one another to love and good deeds and hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering (Hebrews 10:23-24).

Loving each other is very abstract, and can mean almost anything. To love someone in one’s mind is not the same as loving them with their actions. Christians must both love others internally and choose to act in love toward them. If one loves their brother but acts as if they hate them, can it really be said that they love them? Christians should love others in both emotions and actions. Additionally, Christians should hold fast to what they have admitted, which is the faith in the Lord. Christians must hold fast to the Lord without giving Him up. The one who denies the Lord one day and accepts Him another day is unstable. 

C. Assemble with one another so that you may encourage one another as the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ draws near (Hebrews 10:25).

Christians should not neglect community. Community is important in the fight against sin. The specific way Christians are able to encourage one another is to point them to the coming of Christ. Christ will cosmically renew all things, and bring fresh life to the new heaven and earth. Christians should love each other enough to point them to the Lord. The return of the Lord is the ultimate hope of the Christian, especially in weary times. The Lord brings rest and renewal for the broken and tired, which is a great encouragement to those who need deliverance from sin and suffering. 

D. Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so you may be made whole (James 5:16).

Christians should confess their sins to each other, and specifically to the spiritual leaders of the community. Confession and transparency leads to a closeness which can not come apart from vulnerability in the face of failure. Some of my closest friends are so because of the close vulnerability we are able to have. Praying for those who are vulnerable and appealing to God for them is especially helpful, as this shows the love of the Christian for the other.