~ The Spiritual Gift of Exhortation ~
Opening Comment ~ “Do
not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is
from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no
variation or shadow of turning. Of His
own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of
firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:16-18).
Category ~ We are still in the broad
classification of grace gifts which I think of as the medical community. The Gift of Exhortation could be considered
the spiritual Cardiologist.
Definition ~ This can
also be called the gift of encouraging. It is the God-given ability to draw
alongside someone to comfort, to encourage, to rebuke, or to provide
spiritual insight which leads to positive action. Various commentators have used different
terminology regarding this gift. John
Phillips relates this gift closely to the “intention of truth” and points out
that it is “addressed to the conscience and the heart.”
The work of
the exhorter is to stir up the consciences of God's people so that truth does
not become merely abstract theology but is worked out in practical,
down-to-earth living.
“In many European
homes, rooms are heated by small open fireplaces. Standard equipment with such a fireplace is a poker,
a piece of metal used from time to time to stir up the smoldering embers so
that they burst back into flame. This is
the work of the exhorter. He must stir
up the consciences of God's people so that truth does not become merely
abstract theology but is worked out in practical, down-to-earth living.” —John Phillips
'Exhortation' is the
Greek word 'paraklesis' literally 'a calling near' or 'a calling for.' In other words the underlying purpose of
exhortation or encouragement is to comfort.
Scripture ~
“Having then gifts differing
according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy,
let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our
ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation;
he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows
mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8).
Biblical
Examples ~ Joseph
(Barnabas) – “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas
(which means Son of Encouragement)” (Acts 4:36). He was such an encourager that he earned a
nickname from the Apostles.
Traits
~ An encourager understands the
feelings and attitudes of other people.
An encourager feels
deep concern for people who are going through difficulties.
An encourager likes
to talk with people either in a group or individually.
An encourager seeks
Biblical principles as a guide for daily activities.
An encourager tells
people what changes need to be made in their lives without offending them.
An encourager stays
with people and encourages them to achieve a task once they have started it.
An encourager enjoys
talking with people, sometimes neglects own responsibilities to get too
involved.
An encourager tailors
a program of action to assist people with their difficulties.
An encourager refuses
to be discouraged by difficulties since they are opportunities for personal
growth.
Closing Comments ~ “Let
no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in
conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to
exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you,
which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the
eldership. Meditate on these things;
give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the
doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing
this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my
hands. For God has not given us a spirit
of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
“As each
one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of
the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
blog.
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