When we were serving the Christian Church in Cummings, Kansas, I remember watching a video of the demolition of the Atchison Hospital. When the detonation went off, I saw that huge building fall in pieces to the ground. The demolition took probably two weeks to complete. They built a new hospital just outside of Atchison, It took quite a few months to complete.
The point I want to make is: When it comes to our fellowship with the church, it doesn't take long to tear it down, and to have it broken. It takes a long time to heal and to restore a broken fellowship.
The Hebrew writer encourages us to do two things that will not only repair a broken fellowship, but will keep it maintained in the presence of the Lord.
First he writes that we are to "stir up love." How are we to do that? The key word in this instruction is "consider." We are to consider others, instead of just considering our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We are to "stir up" or strongly encourage each other, to love one another unconditionally.
And then secondly, the Hebrew writer tell us to "stir up" "good works."
These are acts of ministry to one another. How can we minister to one another, instead of just being involved with only our selfish concerns?
A broken fellowship can be mended, in time. But only if we apply the love of our Savior, to the hurts, and the discouragement, that comes when we allow the enemy to break our fellowship. GP
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