Hebrews 10:24–25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
God never designed us to walk through life in isolation. From the very beginning, He declared, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). Our faith is not meant to be lived out as a solo project but as a shared journey. Hebrews 10 reminds us that love and good works aren’t stirred up in a vacuum; they grow when we are with others who encourage us and push us closer to Christ.
For years, I knew these truths in theory, but in practice I lived differently. I have always been a shy person, the kind who would rather exhaust every possible solution on my own before ever asking for help. When I began attending and later serving in a wonderful church community, I got involved, attending a men’s conference and even joining a photography group, but if I’m honest, I kept most people at arm’s length. You could count the number of people I deeply connected with on one hand and still have fingers left over.
But Scripture doesn’t give us that option. We are called to be part of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12–27), not just attending but belonging, contributing, and receiving. And God, in His grace, began to make that truth uncomfortably real in my life.
The writer of Hebrews says, “Encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). Encouragement isn’t just a kind gesture; it is protection. It keeps us soft, keeps us moving forward, and it keeps us from quitting.
I didn’t realize how desperately I needed that until I became ill on March 28, 2025. What started as stomach issues quickly turned into months of discomfort, weight loss, and uncertainty. At the beginning of this journey I weighed 240 pounds; today I weigh 175. Doctors and hospitals couldn’t provide me answers, and a specialist finally recommended a procedure, but without insurance, the financial burden was overwhelming.
People at church noticed my weight loss and asked questions, and I would answer politely. But that was as far as I went. I didn’t let anyone into my struggle. It was my responsibility to figure it out, or so I thought. The problem was that I had cut myself off from one of God’s greatest gifts: the encouragement and support of His people.
Then God did something only He could orchestrate.
In my employment at a church, I was working on a church directory and had a few blank pages to fill. The pastor suggested a notes page, and I suggested a Bible verse, which he agreed would be a wonderful idea. After searching, I felt drawn—though a bit hesitant—to Hebrews 10:24–25. It seemed too strong, but the verse wouldn’t leave me. I included it, and the pastor approved.
A few days later, my wife, sister-in-law, and I went to Washington, DC. On Sunday, we visited Mark Batterson’s church. The message that morning? It’s none other than Hebrews 10:24–25. The preacher repeated the phrase, “We can’t do this alone,” and it landed heavy on my heart.
As if that wasn’t enough, on the way to the Museum of Air and Space after the service, I got a text from a friend. The verse? Hebrews 10:24–25. I had to pull the car over to tell my wife and sister-in-law. Three times in one week, God had placed the same verse in front of me. It was no coincidence. It was His way of rewiring my heart, reminding me that community is not optional—it’s essential.
James writes, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). It wasn’t enough for me to hear the message about community; I had to respond.
And when I did, I saw the beauty of what happens when God’s people live out His Word. A few days later, members of the church felt led to live out the very command of Hebrews 10:24: “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Their love turned into action. They came alongside me, and because of their generosity, I will be able to get the procedure I need.
Here’s what amazes me: in the past, I would have received this help with embarrassment, guilt, or hesitation. But because of God’s Word softening my heart, I was able to receive it with joy. I saw it for what it was—God’s provision through His people.
This is what a godly community does. This is the kind of encouragement that gives us strength when our own “get-up-and-go” has gotten up and gone. And now, I don’t just want to be on the receiving end; I want to be the kind of person who spurs others on, who brings encouragement, who steps in when someone is carrying a burden too heavy for one person to bear (Galatians 6:2).
Friend, maybe you’ve been trying to do life on your own. Maybe you’re like me—shy, hesitant, and cautious about letting others in. But I can tell you this with certainty: we were absolutely not meant to do this alone.
Hebrews 10 calls us to more than Sunday attendance. It calls us to life together, spurring, encouraging, carrying, and loving until the Day of Christ’s return.
So let me ask:
If you can’t answer those questions, maybe it’s time to take a step. Join a small group. Share a little more vulnerably. Commit to staying when it gets messy. Because when we live out this passage, the Church doesn’t just survive, it flourishes.
We were made for this. And I, for one, am ready to embrace it.