Thursday 12 October 2023
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. (vs 13-14)
Background
In today's reading from Hebrews, the writer is referring to Psalm 95 which calls on the people of Israel to praise God and not to quarrel when the going is hard in the desert. The writer of Hebrews calls on his Christian brothers and sisters to encourage one another, not just once in a while but every day "as long as it is called today" (v. 13).
The writer recognises that when things are difficult it’s very easy to lose heart, become despondent and grumble. Moreover, the statement "as long as it is called today" is exciting because it shows the writer's belief that, in Jesus coming into the world, God had acted once and for all. God’s kingdom is here and Christians should live with the understanding and urgency that is encapsulated in John Wesley’s encouragement to "Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can."
The "deceitfulness of sin" works powerfully at many levels. At a personal level I may do something I know isn’t right but I discount it because everyone else does it. Before I know where I am, my standards have slipped and I have become hardened, unaware that I have turned away from the living God.
At another level, society can become immune to something it knows isn’t right or just. At present it is normal in English and Welsh prisons for men and women to be locked up in their rooms for over 20 hours a day. Our government’s stated policy is to increase the numbers of people who are locked up, even though in England and Wales more people are imprisoned per capita than in many countries in Europe.
A really good example of John Wesley’s encouragement of others can be found in his relationship with the 18th-century prison reformer John Howard. Wesley, who worked hard to improve the conditions of prisoners, described Howard as "one of the greatest men in Europe". Howard spoke of the challenge and lasting inspiration he had drawn from one of Wesley’s sermons: "Upon our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount" (Discourse 4), where in conclusion Wesley wrote, "Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." The fruit of that encouragement is still here today in the charity The Howard League for Penal Reform.
To Ponder:
- When was the last time you encouraged someone, and when was the last time you grumbled?
- What ideas do you have for how your local church might encourage women and men in prison and for how the Methodist Church can encourage and campaign for a more humane and effective response to crime that provides justice to all and helps reduce reoffending?
Prayer
Inspire us, God, to encourage others not to grumble and complain. Give us wisdom to know when to be quiet and listen and when to speak out and take action. Amen.
Prisons Week
8-14 October 2023 is Prisons Week, which the Methodist Church sponsors. All of this week’s contributions are written by Methodist prison chaplains.