Values

ENCOURAGEMENT, EDIFICATION AND EMPATHY

Expressing the Heart of God

Revelation 19.10 says, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Jesus is God’s empathy personified. Colossians. 2.9 says, “For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ,” CSB. In Colossians 1.19, the apostle Paul expresses it this way; “For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son),” AMP

The apostle John wrote concerning Jesus: “From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” John 1.16. 

But [on the other hand] the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification [to promote their spiritual growth] and [speaks words of] encouragement [to uphold and advise them concerning the matters of God] and [speaks words of] consolation [to compassionately comfort them]. 1 Cor. 14.3 AMP

Empathy

Empathy is having the capacity to understand and share the feelings of another. It is our ability to feel and express compassion . The author of Hebrews assures us of God’s compassion toward us by assigning His Son Jesus as our great High Priest. “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.” Heb. 4.15 AMP

Edification

To edify is to build someone up. Using our words and our actions to infuse a sense of self esteem and value in others is at the heart of why God empowers His people with spiritual gifts. We are enabled by Holy Spirit to minister and inspire others. 

All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up. 1 Cor. 10.23 NASB

Encouragement

To give support, confidence, hope to, to embolden, to urge, to bolster, or reassure.

Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Hebrews 10.24 GNT

Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers[inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good.  1 Cor. 12.4-7 AMP

We’re in this together

Being joint members of the body of Christ, as we each do our part to express love and encouragement to others the whole body benefits. 

EPHESIANS 4.7-16

Yet grace [God’s undeserved favor] was given to each one of us [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ’s [rich and abundant] gift. Therefore it says, 

“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND HE BESTOWED GIFTS ON MEN.”

(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had previously descended [from the heights of heaven] into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very same as He who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things [that is, the whole universe]). 

And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct],

[and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 

So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. 

But speaking the truth in love [in all things–both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head–Christ. From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.