"Comfort One Another"

What do you think of when you hear the word "comfort"? The English word means to "soothe, console or reassure, bring cheer to." So when we read that believers are to "comfort" one another, that is naturally what comes to our mind. But the meaning of the original language goes so much deeper than that. The Greek word is variously translated "comfort", "exhort", "encourage", "urge". It's related to the word "Comforter", which Jesus uses to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Most of us don't have a problem with the idea of being comforted/encouraged in the English "I'm OK/You're OK" sense. But we might balk at the idea of being comforted/encouraged/exhorted by another believer if it involves having to change our way of thinking or our direction in life in order to line up more closely with biblical truth. And yet, just as the Holy Spirit exhorts/encourages us to holiness, so there are times when the most loving thing you can do is to exhort/encourage a fellow follower of Christ to greater holiness. Paul did so frequently in his letters to the churches.

This passage from the Octavius Winslow website reveals the SOURCE of our "comfort/encouragement/exhortation" to one another.  Real "comfort" is found only in God's promises as revealed in His Word. If you want to "comfort/encourage" another believer, point them to the truths of Scripture. Only there can true and eternal "comfort" be found.

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To comfort the saints is one important end of the Scriptures: “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) And thus the exhortation runs — ”Comfort the fainthearted.” (1Thess.5:14) “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1Thess.5:11) “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Thess.4:17-18) Thus has the Holy Spirit testified to this subject, and thus is it clear that it is the will, and it is in the heart, of God, that His people should be comforted.

The Spirit comforts the believer by unfolding to his eye the near prospect of the coming glory. Heaven is near at hand. It is but a step out of a poor, sinful, sorrow-stricken world, into the rest that remains for the people of God. It is but a moment, the twinkling of an eye, and we are absent from the body, and are present with the Lord. Then will the days of our mourning be ended, then sin will grieve no more — affliction will wound no more — sorrow will depress no more, and God will hide Himself no more.

There will be the absence of all evil, and the presence of all good; and they who have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, shall take their stand before the throne of God, and shall “serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes." (Rev.7:14-17)  Why, beloved in the Lord, let us comfort one another with these words, and with this prospect.