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Consideration isn’t a reaction to what’s been done, it’s preemptive.
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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.
Everyone thinks differently, and the way we consider other people varies from one person to the next. Some of us are more practical, which drives our thoughts differently than those who are less practical. Rather than how a person feels, we might consider what would be causing the person to feel the way they do. Others are more compassionate and consideration for them involves noticing how people feel at an emotional level. Whichever personality trait we have, the author of Hebrews is asking us to consider our fellow believers.
To consider someone is to give them space within us, if only for a moment. It isn’t a reaction to what’s been done, it’s preemptive. There are many ways we can do this. One way we can consider our brothers and sisters is noticing how they express what’s going on in their hearts. Then, we can go to them and talk in a loving way to let them know we love and care for them. We all need to know we’re loved and cared for, no matter how tough we think we are.
We’re the embodiment of the Kingdom of God, and we’re to love one another. This is part of the message behind considering others. Love. To love and know we’re loved. God loves us all, and has been gracious and kind enough to give us a sense of dependence on others, and for their dependence on us. This dependence isn’t a bad thing, nor is it weakness! We’re created to be in community, and the body of believers are part of our family of God. As you read the scripture passage below, consider those whom God brings to mind. Those you call friend, brother or sister in Christ or family. Write their names and giving them space in a time of thought and prayer.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others
more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves,
which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God,
did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,
being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death, even death on a cross.
– Philippians 2:3-8
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By Rich Obrecht
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