Our Dteo

The title is intentionally obscure for if I wrote out what this acronym means it is likely you would not have begun to read. But if the 'greek like' word DTEO got you this far, then I trust you will bear with me and read the remainder. Please accept my apology if you feel I have tricked you, I pray that by the end of this posting you will freely forgive my manipulation.

'Our Dteo' represents 'our duty to each other.' Of course, it is the word 'duty' to which so many people object yet in it's right context, it is a helpful description of the sum of God's word with respect to our relationship with each other. The other word that sum's it all up is love and the phrase that comes immediately to mind is Christ's admonition to 'love one another.' And thus, as followers of Christ we have a solemn duty to love each other. Love is our duty to each other.

There are as many expressions of our love for each other as there are 'each other.' And since I am not about to post a novel today, I shall focus on but a single aspect of such expression. That is guided by my reading today which is found in Hebrews 10:24-25 as follows;

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)

My tendency towards wringing all the good out of this verse is a sermon but again, my obligation to you is brevity. Nevertheless, an outline and the use of 'points' is helpful. To that extent, in this passage I see four points which cry out to me.

The first point hinges on the phrase "Let us consider..." Here I see an instruction that we are to 'fix our thoughts on each other' and not on our selves. Thus, it is a call to selflessness. The extension or focus of this 'setting the needs of others ahead of our own needs' is that we are to ponder, perceive, consider, meditate on, dwell upon and think of new ways that we may encourage or 'spur' one another on toward love and good deeds. We are to rouse the sleeping, upset the complacent, lift up the weary and give renewed strength to the fellow believer in ways that are expressed through love (agape, love chosen by intentional decision) and good deeds (ministry to fellow believers). We are, for the sake of others, to address the need for motivation in the context of mutual support and improvement; the lack of which results in a selfish isolation resulting in the death of the church assembly.

Secondly, the phrase that begins "Let us not give up..." This is a call to diligence, perseverance, the intentional mindfulness of our duty (not neglecting) and the mentality of contribution to the assembly instead of the consumption of what is presented. The focus of this exhortation is to continue coming together in Christian fellowship for the purposes of edification, exhortation and encouragement. We are reminded 'as some are in the habit of doing' of the selfish nature of our sinful selves which results in withdrawal from the church body and isolation which removes the impediments for 'evil works' and 'self love.'

Third, the phrase that begins 'Let us encourage one another...' here is the core exhortation of this passage. The focus is clearly upon our fellow believer or on the one who seeks in our presence. We are not to present 'roadblocks' in the form of judgment or religiousity. Rather we are to meet those in our local assembly 'where they are', we are to 'love them where they are' and through the application of sincere interest for their well-being and our own selflessness, find ways to guide them to the truth, to bring the cup to their lips so to speak that they may partake of the very water of life that is Immanuel Jesus. Where there is sadness, we are to offer solace. Where there is despair, we are to offer hope. Where there is fear, we are to offer protection. And where there is desperation, we are to offer faith. In this passage, in the full context of scripture, we find the three core virtues that keep us going in a world that lacks virtues; namely faith, hope and love.

Fourth, and last, is the phrase "and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This speaks of an explicit understanding on our part that the judgment day of Christ is coming. With this in mind, we should have a sense of urgency with respect to the preparation of His bride, the church. In this picture, I see a whirlwind of activity around the bride as the hour of the wedding draws near. An intentional focusing and refinement with the explicit understanding that at the appointed hour the wedding will occur, ready or not. I do not know the hour of His coming but it is one day closer today than yesterday. That realization at once scares me and inspires me to immediate and unrelenting action. And that is how this verse speaks to me, calling me to immediate and unrelenting action.

So today, I exhort you to join me in the fellowship of local believers at your church. Come, share your joys with me that they may be multiplied. Come, share your burdens with me that they may be halved. Come share with me your ideas of what we can do to reach the lost and build up the believers. Come and walk beside me as we both follow Jesus, our nets in hand.

Gone Fishing,
Carl