The salvation of our souls is more important than anything else in life.  To understand this, all we have to do is think about what God did to make our salvation possible.  It is so important that He sacrificed His one and only Son so that we could have the hope of eternal life (John 3:16).

If we realize how important our soul’s salvation is, we will prepare for the coming of our Lord.  Sadly, many will be caught by surprise when Jesus comes back to judge the world in rightness.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 (ESV)
¹  Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. ²  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Paul continues in this passage to exhort us to stay spiritually awake and ready for the day of the Lord by being sober, having on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

It is God’s will that we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ because His Son paid the ultimate price to make it available to us (vers. 9-10).  It is because of this salvation, and all that has been done to secure it, that Paul writes what he does next.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
¹¹  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

We should take this “one another”  passage seriously.  Have you made it your goal to be an encouragement to your brethren in Christ?  A good way to be an encourager is to help your brethren stay focused on the future when Jesus will return.  When a brother or sister is discouraged, frustrated, sad, or mad, reminding them that we are just pilgrims in this world, waiting for Jesus to come and get us, can be helpful.  Even Jesus, Himself, used this truth to encourage His disciples.  

John 14:1-4 (ESV)
¹  “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ²  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴  And you know the way to where I am going.”

This truth should build up all of us.  Life is full of trouble (Job 14:1), but knowing it is all temporary and will end the moment Jesus comes back in the clouds, is encouraging.  Regarding the return of our Savior, even in the face of death, Paul said, “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

With all the discouragement in the world, the church needs more brethren like Joseph, the Levite.  He was such an encouragement to others that the apostle changed his name to Barnabas, meaning, “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36).  Let’s all strive to be like him.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.