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Note that God is here instructing His children to exhort one aanother daily. (also Hebrews 10:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11). The Greek for daily meaning "day to day". This is our duty to exhort our beloved sisters and brothers daily; not weekly, month, quarterly or annualy, but rather daily, while today is still the day of salvation. Unless our faith is warmed by other Christians, it will become frozen. This is dynamic - it is telling us we should be doing all we can for the brethren in the LORD while we are together; for surely life is short and very uncertain. Tomorrow will take care of itself we need not worry, but today we have to improve upon and encourage others lest they wax cold and pursue the world and its sins (John 12:35). How often have we seen others go astray and not even give them an exhortation? How can we honestly say we would lay down our lives for a fellow Christian but yet not exhort such a one when we see them going astray? We are the same family, the same religion, we should all suffer when one suffers and moreover we should with kindness, tenderly exhort one another to a holy life daily. |
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Each day we take a portion of our lives to build upon a foundation. Each persons own foundation is centered upon what they believe will bring them security and a better quality of life. Some build their foundation around what they see as the security of this world. They may think they are doing the very best for themselves by seeking to attend the best schools, finding the best jobs, living in the best neighborhood and so forth. Many of these ideas are commendable, but they are not the foundation on which one should put their life and soul.
The truth lies herein: anyone who builds their foundation on anything apart from the LORD Jesus Christ is destined for certain doom. Jesus alone is the ground on which one can have true hope for eternity future. He is the instiller of faith, the source of redemption of mankind, He is true wisdom and the very essence of all that is good, lovely and pure.
"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12).
Any person who lays a foundation upon anything other than Jesus will find their castles were but sand castles on the edge of the sea engulfed by the short time span known as life.
Christ is saying that those who do His will are His children, they are the doers not just hearers. These are the ones who have built upon the truths of Jesus for eternal life comes only if it is received on the terms laid down by Christ and written upon the hearts of the believer by Him as well.
This is the only foundation that leads to heaven to be with Jesus forever:
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23).
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