Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
¹⁶  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

That Christians are to encourage one another does not mean that we are always aiming to make one another feel good.  While lifting each other up is important, and something that those who love each other naturally do, there is something more important than that.  Our first duty to each other is to help one another secure the salvation of our souls.  Concern for one another’s spiritual well-being must be our top priority.

Teaching and admonishing one another in Christ is an important duty that we all share.  To admonish means, “to put in mind, i.e. (by implication) to caution or reprove gently, warn” (Strong’s Greek & Hebrew Dictionary).  How we admonish one another is important, that is, we must do it with love, being gentle in our attempts to be helpful.  Do you remember how Paul said to restore one who has been overtaken by some fault?

Galatians 6:1 (KJV)
¹  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

How can we restore a brother or sister who has been overtaken in a fault?  We are to admonish them, that is, gently warn them of the error of their ways, but we must do it with meekness.  This is not the easiest part of our relationship in Christ; nevertheless, it must be done.  Reproving one in Christ can make the difference between that person being saved or lost.  James put it like this:

James 5:19-20 (ESV)
¹⁹  My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, ²⁰  let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

James is referring to spiritual death here, and there is no greater thing that we can do for each other than to rescue one another from sin when necessary.  I cited Galatians 6:1 above, now listen to the next verse.

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
²  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

The Greek word for burdens here is baros and it refers to a weight.  Sin is the greatest weight that one can bear.  To help relieve one from a burden is an act of love.  The law of Christ that Paul refers to is the command to love one another (John 13:34; 1 John 4:21).

We all need teaching and admonishing once in a while.  The Hebrews writer reminds us of this.  “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).  Are you willing to do this for your brothers and sisters in Christ?  Love demands it. Let us all do our best to fulfill the law of Christ.  

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