How can we be a people starkly aware of our sin? How can we seek repentance without being crushed? The family of God must be marked by an atmosphere of unconditional love so that when we repent of sin, we can do it in the freedom of knowing we are loved by our heavenly Father. We discipline one another not out of self-righteousness but out of love. Being disciplined is part of being discipled.

The writer of Hebrews understood the importance of discipline: “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). He knew that our hearts are inclined toward deception, thinking we are spiritually healthy when we are not. So he directed us, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (v. 13).

The members of the church are to impact each other on a daily basis so that we can help one another identify our blind spots—areas of our lives that we need to submit to Christ. That means it is our responsibility (1) to know a few Christians well enough to see their struggles with sin and help them stay anchored in Truth and (2) to be willing to open our lives, share our weaknesses, and ask the body to pray with and for us. No one is beyond repentance. Without repentance, the church is weak. When we sin, contradicting God’s holy standards, we are to confront one another in humility. We are to exhort one another to holiness and restoration. This way, both the individual and, as a result, the church are strengthened.

No one likes conflict. In most churches, brothers and sisters let things go to save themselves the pain of confrontation. But this is tragic. When cordial Christian folks gather and enjoy each other’s company, read the Bible, and pray together—generally acting superficially with one another—they will come out untouched and unimpacted. They may be encouraged; they may be instructed—but not changed.

We need to be vulnerable with one another, bold enough to confront sin, and loving enough to exhort one another to live for Christ. Christianity offers a vibrant, dynamic community—unity and love beyond anything this world can offer. So let’s take hold of this dynamic gift from God, the body of believers, so that we together grow in spiritual maturity. As we do, our witness to the freedom, love, and beauty of the family of God will be an aroma that brings life, drawing many into His eternal Kingdom.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your unconditional love. Help me to share that same love with the body of believers You’ve brought to my life so that we can become more mature in faith. Help me to pursue greater accountability within the community you’ve given me. May our love and humble, righteous living be a light to the lost in our midst. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon A Heart for God, Part 14: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW

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