how important is it to encourage and edify one another?
We had just moved into the area, and something someone said on our first Sabbath there was so profound, I'll never forget it! It was simply a compliment about a fellow Church member.
The statement formulated my entire opinion of both individuals (such is the power of first impressions on our human minds), but it just goes to show how important it is to encourage and edify one another—even if the person we are complimenting isn't aware of it (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
What if it had been a degrading and negative comment? It's pretty clear that we are to really be striving to grow in love for one another, making sure to speak about one another favorably rather than hanging everyone's dirty laundry out for all to see (Proverbs 17:9).
So every once in a while that compliment I heard three years ago pops into my mind, and I mentally smile, because it's true: despite our shortcomings and faults, love truly covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). What's more, it's wonderful to know how merciful and loving our Heavenly Father is, who doesn't treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10). We should be putting forth the effort to follow that supreme example!
