In a familiar passage, the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to assemble with the saints.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

While verse 25 is the verse quoted most often, verse 24 is just as important.  It gives us one of the reasons our assembling together is so important.  It is when we come together on the first day of the week that we have the best opportunity to stir up one another, motivating each other to continue to be involved in love and good works.

The word for “stir up” is from the Greek word “paroxysmos,” meaning “to provoke or incite” (Strong).  We all can use this once in a while, can’t we?  It is easy to fall into a state of spiritual complacency.  It can happen to any of us without noticing it.  While attending worship services faithfully can definitely help us to avoid this, since we are naturally stirred up by our worshiping of God together, we sometimes need more than that.  We should realize this, not only about ourselves, but also about our brethren.  Remember, we are to care for one another; thus, we must be attentive to each other enough to recognize when a brother or sister needs some attention.

How can we stir up one another outside of our assemblings?  Words of exhortation are always helpful in almost any setting.  

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV)
¹³ But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Exhortation from kind and loving brethren can help us prevent our hearts from becoming hardened by sin.  We cannot always see the impact that sin is having on us.  This is why the Hebrews writer refers to “the deceitfulness of sin.”  It is often easier for others to see it than it is to see it ourselves.  If sin was getting the best of you and you did not even realize it, would you not want a faithful brother or sister to encourage you to do better?  This is what exhortation is.  It involves stern but tender words of encouragement spoken to someone who has lost his or her way.   This kind of exhortation can help save a soul.

James 5:19-20 (ESV)
¹⁹ My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, ²⁰ let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

How do we bring a sinner back from wandering?  It is not by force.  We do it with words of exhortation.  Now, to be clear, sometimes those words have to come in the form of a rebuke.  That does not mean that those words cannot be tender and spoken with compassion, but at times, a little admonishing is necessary to stir up one who is wandering from the truth.

Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

To admonish one is to caution or reprove him as a means of getting him back on the right track toward heaven.  To do such might be uncomfortable for both the one being admonished and the one doing the admonishing, but it is worth it if it stirs up the soul, saving one from spiritual death.  Let’s all love one another enough to do the hard and necessary things.    

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.