Bible Thoughts

February 24, 2002

Everybody needs encouragement at various times and on certain occurrences. The Lord is instructing Moses to encourage the new leader of Israel, Joshua. Moses would not be allowed to enter the promised land, but his successor would need the help of the Lord and the strength of the nation in order to conquer and occupy Canaan.

The word courage is associated with the word encouragement. Joshua would need the courage to lead the battles against those who would not recognize the claims of the Israelites to the land. When those who would benefit stood behind him and let him know they would follow the instructions of the Lord, from this encouragement would come the courage to lead the forces of God against the enemy.

At times, all of us need to be encouraged. A proper word spoken at a given opportunity can provide the spark for one to go on in life, even though things have been tough. Have you not experienced happiness when someone took the time to speak with you from an understanding heart? Words are powerful mechanisms to bring one out of despair or rescue one from loneliness. Through words, one can uplift the spirit of one who needs to find the courage to do what is right in God's sight. The Proverb writer said it, "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad"(Proverbs 12:25).

One's courage can be bolstered by the encouragement of a true friend. "...there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother"(Proverbs 18:24). A true friend is understanding and sympathetic to the others' needs and will listen when it seems no one else really cares. "A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity"(Proverbs 17:17). If you wanted assistance, would the appeal be to an enemy or a brother? The answer is obvious.

Encouragement can be had by knowing that someone is standing by to assist when you are in difficulties. All of us must rely, at times, upon others. Knowing that someone cares enough to do the best they can helps to bring forth courage in overcoming many problems. Paul experienced the caring of others when brethren met him on his journey to Rome. When these men of God were close, Paul "thanked God, and took courage"(Acts 28:15). Even an apostle needed that kind of encouragement.

An act of kindness can bolster the discouraged. Paul said it, "...be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you"(Ephesians 4:32). Paul sent Epaphroditus, in an act of kindness, back to the Philippians. The brethren at Philippi had sent this man to Paul to supply Paul's needs as he preached the gospel. Even though Epaphroditus was ill("sick nigh unto death"), the Lord spared him so that the apostle would not be further burdened in sorrow. This messenger from Philippi had hazarded his life to supply what Paul lacked(Philippians 2:25, 30). Such kindness took courage and is forever inscribed upon the pages of God's book. Even the barbarians of Paul's time showed him "no little kindness"(Acts 28:2).

It takes courage to encourage others. It can also take courage to accept and appreciate the encouragement. Both parties are benefited for they stand together nurturing each other in the work of Christ. "And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted,

support the weak, be longsuffering toward all"(I Thessalonians 5:14).

The word “Christian” is an interesting term. In modern usage it is claimed by any who profess Christ; but where did it come from and who should be using it? The name itself would not have originated with the Jews. Since they denied that Jesus was the Christ they would not have called his followers “Christians." Instead, the Jews called followers of Christ “Nazarenes”(Acts 24:5). Prior to being named Christians, early followers of Christ spoke of themselves as “brethren," “disciples," and “saints”(Acts 6:1,3; Romans 1:7) as well as other names. Fausset’s Bible Dictionary says of the term, “Christian”, that “The rarity of its use in the New Testament marks its early date, when as yet it was a name of reproach and hardly much recognized among the disciples.“ It can be reasoned that the name, which originally was an insult, became the accepted term over a matter of time.

Following this line of reasoning, Christians may come to believe that the name by which they call themselves is merely a random or arbitrary name, having no special spiritual or religious significance. In fact, some may go so far as to distance themselves from the name, viewing it as a human designation and therefore not worthy of the children of God. However, consider this: in Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messianic kingdom he writes, “For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name”(Isaiah 62:1- 2). Isaiah says of the newly restored Jerusalem that its inhabitants will be given a “new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.” In Acts 11:26 “when the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” the phrase “were called” is the Greek word chreematisai meaning “called of God." The same expression is used in Hebrews 11:7 when it speaks of Noah “being warned of God." Likewise a form of the word is used in Luke 2:26 when it speaks of Simeon looking for the consolation of Israel, “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.” Thus, when Luke says the disciples were “called Christians first in Antioch” he does not mean they were called that by men only but by God.

Isaiah foretold that the Lord would reveal a new name for his people and when Luke wrote in the book of Acts that “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” he used a word that means “called of God.” Is it unreasonable then to conclude that the word “Christian” is a God given name and not merely an insult that fell from the mouths of men? And if it is a God given name it should be born with honor, with the understanding that it is the name given by God to those people who hear his voice and do his will. God’s people have a right to use the terms that God himself has designated for them. Some discretion should be exercised so that a Christian’s speech is not needlessly offensive; nonetheless, Christians should always be proud that their Lord has named them.-Scott Huston

A man of words and not of deeds

Is like a garden full of weeds.

But, a person who studies--obeys--and scatters seeds

of the Holy Word of God--not of creeds,

And to Heaven, tries some soul to lead--

Must be a friend in "deed" in a time of need!!

-Cletus M. Beach