Love... Is Edifying

Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV)

That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him, Who is the head—Christ—  From Whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 4:14-17 (NKJV)

To edify* is to build up, strengthen, and come alongside… people feeling faint, alone, discouraged, or insufficient. What better way to love than to uplift?

Especially when someone is weakened... through social, physical, spiritual, financial, or professional distress?

  • Social uplifting? Reach out to the outsiders, newcomers, and those disadvantaged or different. Stand up against all forms of bullying, racial, or lifestyle discrimination.

  • Physical uplifting? Help the weak. Visit the sick. Give a hug. Change a tire. Mow a lawn. Host the lonely. Stand up and do what other Christians don’t.

  • Spiritual uplifting? Surely, pray and assist your kin in Christ. But also, remember your commission as ambassadors for Christ in the world. No field is more worldly than media.

  • Financial uplifting? Give, bless, and share the bounty God gives you. Also, remember His pointed warning: Give your gifts in private. No show and tell.

  • Professional uplifting? If you're a boss, give newcomers a chance. If you're a worker, edify others! Be the light in your office, at your school, or any place where you’re the customer.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Proud Christians look down on other people. Edifying Christians lift others up. I trust you will rise in Group #2l

Love… Is Edifying (Part 38)

* AI overview of “edify”: “In the Bible, "edify" means to build up, strengthen, or improve a person spiritually, morally, or intellectually. It is an act of promoting spiritual growth and strengthening faith within the community of believers, a concept rooted in the Latin word aedificare, meaning "to build". The term is often used in the New Testament to describe nurturing the faith and building up the "body of Christ" through actions like encouragement and teaching.”

* Regarding our speech habits: 'Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers' (Ephesians 4:29, KJV).

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to be models of Jesus. We all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.

WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban