A ministry gift not to be overlooked
Exhortation is a gift of the Holy Spirit whereby
one is blessed with the ability to encourage others in the godly
way. It may sound simple, but it is vital. It is mentioned as
a, "by-product" of prophesying in How necessary this gift is for today as many churches engage in many activities throughout the week but never grow spiritually because they never get any exhortation to truly repent and live holy lives, separate from this perishing world! They are not told that without holiness in one's life, one cannot see the Lord at all. (Heb 12:14) As stated above, it is given as a gift
by grace from the Holy Spirit and it is exercised to lead God's,
people into the comfort of walking worthy of the God Who so graciously
saved them.
1 Corinthians 14:3:
"But he that prophesieth
speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and
comfort." However, it can also stand
alone as a function in the Body.
By the grace one is given by the Holy Spirit to exhort, it is
expected that he or she will use that gift in humility. Do you
have this gift, beloved? If so, here is a more detailed explanation
of its operation in the Church of Jesus Christ.
This ministry gift is listed in Romans 12:3-8:
"For I say, through
the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to
think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to
think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure
of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have
not the same office:
So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members
one of another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given
to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion
of faith;
Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth,
on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let
him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he
that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."
Exhortation is the word, paraklesis in Greek and it means comfort, consolation, intreaty.
Exhort is the word, parakaleo which means to appeal, desire, intreat.
We find the word often translated as, the verb "urge"
or an "urging to" in the more modern translations. Also,
it is given as, "a calling to do" something (as Peter
exhorted his hearers to save themselves from the untoward generation
in Acts 2:40).
Thus, exhortation is
a ministry to urge and encourage others to do something for their
good/growth/godliness.
Let exhortation be employed
then, in faith and diligence for the advancement of His Kingdom,
as believers get encouraged and edified!
Finally, here are some
other forms of the word as used in the Holy Scriptures:
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness,
nor in guile: 1 Thessalonians 2 :3
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every
one of you, as a father doth his children, 1 Thessalonians2 :11
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you
by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought
to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 1
Thessalonians 4 :1
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,
comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward
all men. 1 Thessalonians 5 :14
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an
elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker
of the glory that shall be revealed: 1 Peter5 :1
By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have
written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is
the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 1 Peter 5 :12
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort
you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints. Jude 3
May God use you for His Glory,
brothers and sisters.