To Live is Christ — stirring others

One delightful part of being a Christian is seeing others grow in their faith and in likeness to Jesus Christ. Even more delightful is being part of the process. How can I help Christians become all that they can be?

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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. (Hebrews 10:23–25, ESV)

This passage uses the words “stir up” to describe something Christians are supposed to do with each other so as to produces love and good deeds. However, the original Greek word has an interesting double meaning.

This word, paroxysmos, is found in only two places in the New Testament. The first is in the passage above where it shows as a positive effort to motivate others. My dictionary says that it means, “encouragement, a causing of something by spurring on, or stirring up.”

The second place this word is used is in Acts 15:39 where it is translated in a negative sense. Paul is not happy when Barnabas wants to take Mark with them on a missionary journey.

Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 15:39)

While this verse uses the same word, my dictionary says that this time it means an “intense argument, sharp contention implying exasperation, i.e., an intense difference of opinion.”

Mmm. I know that the issue was later resolved between these men. I also know that because of this contention, they served God in perhaps greater ways than they would have had they not disagreed. They created two journeys instead of one. Also, Mark, who had once refused to serve, was restored under the care of Barnabas. Later, Paul commended Mark for his help in the gospel.

At first, the contrast in these two interpretations of the same word bothered me. It almost looked like the Bible was saying that Christians can grow and be spiritually productive after arguing with each other. But I don’t think this is a correct understanding.

After reading these verses, I’m thinking that the emphasis is more on the production of zeal, of inciting others to great enthusiasm. While the word can be used to describe a negative and exasperating situation, it can also describe a stirring up of positive emotions that accompany a zeal to serve God. Instead of merely duty, being a Christian who loves and serves God and others should be an adventure.

That is what I want others to experience. I want to cheer them on, challenge them to work, push them harder, whatever works to produce in them a deeper love for God. I want to see a renewed and growing desire to serve Him and others. I want them to know that being a Christian is exciting.

From Scripture, I realize that getting heated up over a difference of opinion is not beyond the power of God; He can use that for good. Yet the Bible offers far more positive tactics to encourage others!