02/03/13 CALL ALONGSIDE

02/03/13 CALL ALONGSIDE

An interesting word in the New Testament is "Exhort" (exhortation). Probably most people think that EXHORT means "to root someone on," when it actually means "to call someone alongside."

The difference is powerful. We are not to stand on the sidelines, sending others to victory, but rather we are to call others, who are on the sidelines, or those who are lagging behind, to come up and march into victory with us.

Sometimes the same Greek word for EXHORT is used in reference to CONSOLING or ENCOURAGING someone. We all benefit from words of exhortation and words of encouragement.

In fact, there are probably people who have fallen back and fallen away because no one gave them words of exhortation or encouragement in times of difficult testing. Not only do we need to be exhorted and encouraged, we need to exhort and encourage other believers.

Live in such a way that you can call others to move forward by joining you in your walk with Christ.

Speak in such a way that you can console, encourage, embolden someone, in their walk with Christ.