It’s one thing to notice the treasure God has put within other people. We saw that yesterday. And noticing goes a long way toward changing our attitudes and relationships. But that’s not the end of our responsibility. Something happens when we take a step beyond observation and actually call the glory out of another person. When we put words to what we’ve seen, we build each other up and accelerate the transformation into our true, God-given selves.
Scripture urges us to do that. We may notice others’ sins, but we were never given the responsibility of focusing on them. No, we are to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)—to notice the glory within the earthen vessel and be very vocal in reminding each other that it’s there. Why? Because we are remarkably forgetful. We slip into “I’m only human” mode far too often.
You are human, to be sure, but there’s no “only” about it. You are a living stone in the temple of God, a dwelling place of his glory. You may not see that in yourself, which is exactly why you need others to call it out of you and remind you that it’s there. And others need you to do the same for them. The more you focus on the treasure, the more it grows. And words of encouragement cultivate the growth in powerful ways.
