Scripture: 2 Peter 1 v 2-3: "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue."
There are some people who uplift us into the presence of Jesus every time we encounter them. They have a ministry gift of exhortation which operates subconsciously in them through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Musicians, and especially lead singers, transport us into praise and worship, uplifting us through those worship songs into the presence of the Almighty. We feel the anointing of God upon us and our senses are elevated to receive the Word being preached - allowing that Word to change us into the likeness of Jesus.
Let Peter exhort our spirits as we read and absorb this passage of scripture. Let grace and peace be multiplied to us through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. Peter was equipped to exhort by first suffering such sorrow after he betrayed Jesus three times before His crucifixion. He felt so ashamed and unworthy. Most of us have felt like this at times.
Then he was anointed to preach the first sermon after the Holy Spirit baptism of 120 believers in the Upper Room ten days after Jesus' ascension to Heaven. He preached and exhorted and accused that crowd until they cried what must we do to be saved? Peter told them:
Acts 2 v 38: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
And 3000 got saved that day. The same 3000 who shouted Hosanna to the King and laid palms on the path for His donkey as He entered Jerusalem for the first time. The same 3000 who three days later screamed, Crucify Him! Save Barrabas instead!
And this same crowd now sorrowed for Him and needed Him to save them. Verse 40 says that Peter exhorted them. He lifted them up and empowered them to follow Jesus.
We can all either tear down or exhort our fellow believers. Sometimes they need to first fall so that the Lord can fully lift them by His divine love and strength. Sometimes you have to rebuke first before the exhortation can do its proper work as people can be stubborn and do their own thing leaving a mess behind them.
To exhort really means to encourage to excel. We do it for our children swimming in galas or studying for exams, egging them on to swim faster or get better grades. Jesus uses Christians who are able to exhort us to bring out the best in us.
The revival that is amazing us as it spreads from country to country is blessed by those who are encouraging the congregation to ask for more of Jesus. Videos of spontaneous outbreaks of gospel songs like "Because He Lives" in South American grocery stores, and on city streets are an exhortation to many to join in. People falling to their knees on pavements crying out for forgiveness and worshipping God is a powerful sign of revival.
Re-election came to Donald Trump this week and he was heard exhorting the thousands filling the arenas that they must bless the Lord. There were continuous chants of Christ Our King! This came after Ms Harris mocked a man at her rally in the same area called out Jesus Christ is Lord! She responded that he was in the wrong place, he should be in the other rally down the road. She probably has no idea that our God hears it all and chooses wisely whom He shall bless.
We want to be revived out of lethargy and a doldrum spiritual existence. We want to dance in the power of the Holy Spirit as even Coptic Priests in Egypt were doing last year. We want to glorify God in our bodies and proclaim the victory of Jesus Christ. What is truly in our hearts will come out of our mouths.
This is different from the kind of exhortations given by many pastors, evangelists and so-called apostles for their coffers to be filled. When they arrive at the Pearly Gates they will hear some ominous words - You have had your reward, depart from me you workers of iniquity! They forgot the words freely freely you have received, freely freely give. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
2 Thessalonians 2 v 13 - 17: "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work."
This exhortation from the heart and mouth of Paul sums up the power of these words because when we worship, exalt, honour and respect our Lord Jesus Christ we will love the Brethren and uplift them rather than belittling or condemning them. The mercy and forgiveness of God will be part of our new character as a born again Christian.
Prayer: Heavenly Father please give me this ability to consciously or subconsciously exhort, strengthen and edify the Body of Christ. Let me ease their burdens and give them Your uplifting care. Let me be as Your hand extended to bless the weary. By Your grace and mercy use me to bless the Brethren.
In Jesus' name. Amen.