yesterday during fellowship, ken reminded us that we are "spur one another on to good works." and as the wilson kids, and cora, danial, and bethany displayed--this can come in a wide variety of ways. this seems to be quite a fundamental concept, yet one all to quickly forgotten as we go about our day. we become consumed with our list of "things to do" and forget that many others need help in completing their list of things to do. and rarely does their list compare in significance to ours.
however, there is another side to this we must remember--and that is to be humble enough to receive the spurring. i myself seem to remember quite well that Scripture is there for edification and encouraging...but i often avoid at all costs (believe it or not) to use it for criticizing (constructively) and refining. furthermore, i absolutely hate being the one refined. but is this not an aspect of spurring? should i not thank my brother/sister who cared enough to see a fault, and then approach me so that i do not continue in my path to destruction? "spurring one another on to good deeds" often means reminding each other what "bad deeds" to avoid. we have been blessed with a group of Christ's followers that truly love one another, do we trst each other enough to have them spur us on by poiting out our wekanesses and faults, and not be hurt or create animosity in the mean time? even God's love comes in the form of discipine (see hebrews 12), therefore let us remember to spur and receive spurring, with love as our motive, in ways that might be hurtful in the beginning, but eternally constructive in the end.
(sjg)