Hebrews 10.24-25
24 And let us consider how to
stir up one another
to love and good works,
25 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.
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The Gospel is the power of God (Romans 1.16), but just because the Gospel exists doesn’t mean it automatically has effect on me. Imagine you are sick and a doctor writes you a prescription. The written prescription doesn’t make the sickness go away, but the prescription needs to be carried out, whether in the form of medicine, surgery, or treatment. Likewise, I have been given the Gospel as my prescription, but God has also designed the means for administering it, and in a beautiful way, He has designed the ministry of the body of Christ to be an indispensable way I receive His care.
If the prescription calls for surgery, Gospel community serves as the scalpel in the hands of the Great Physician. God uses the body of Christ to do Gospel work in my heart. When I am in relationships that make much of Christ and are committed to God’s glory, my sin will be exposed. It is possible to hide sin in Gospel community, but it’s not as easy, because when I am living life with those who love the Lord and love me, they are committed to firstly helping to expose, but then also to help extract sin and spiritual ailments. It’s painful, it’s messy, and it’s uncomfortable, and we often stubbornly fight it, but it is good and it’s necessary. Without it, we’re unhealthy and disease-ridden, filled with the growing cancer of sin, and unable to live the fulness of the life we are called to.
Being built up and strengthened
in the grace of God
is a community project.
Every believer is called to be the Physician’s assistant. I am not the Great Physician who heals, but the Great Physician does use me to do the work of spiritual surgery and treatment as His assistant. This does mean, however, that my life as a Physician’s assistant will get messy. I will get blood on me, and it means that sometimes the patients will push back, but I can entrust myself to the Great Physicians’ wisdom and His steady and loving hand. It also reminds me to be humble, because there will also come a day when I will be at the mercy of the Great Physician and His assistants. I can only pray for humility that I would listen to the cares, concerns, and prescriptions given to me from others.
The Gospel reminds me that God is so committed to my growth, to my spiritual health, and to my joy that He has filled my life with so many of His assistants. I can trust His design, even when it hurts.
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
Hebrews 10.24-25
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Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Psalm 111.1–10
1 Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord
with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright,
in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness
endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works
to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people
the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance
of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness
and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded
his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it
have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
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Pray Aloud:
Protect me this day, O Lord, holy Father,
almighty and eternal God,
And in Your compassion and mercy,
help and guide me.
Enlighten my heart
and keep my thoughts, words,
and works pleasing in Your sight;
That I may do Your will and walk
in Your path of righteousness
my whole life long.
Amen.
–Antiphonary of Bangor, Ireland, 7th Century
Preach the Gospel to Myself
Repent and Confess
Ask for Daily Bread and Help
Yield with Thanksgiving
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