…let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

                                                                                                                 Hebrews 10:22-25 

Today’s passage is full of great instruction on what our priorities, as believers in Jesus, ought to be. What the church needs today are healthy believers who have a tremendous impact on the church and the world. Consider each of the following characteristics of a healthy believer.

1. Healthy believers are spiritually confident

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are to be the most spiritually confident people in the world. But often we see too many professing Christians who cannot seem to move beyond concern for their own eternal standing with God. The enemy knows this and would like nothing less than to keep us in this spiritually insecure state, knowing that these types of believers seldom make an impact on anyone else around them. But we are to stand “in full assurance of faith” knowing that our adequacy to participate as ministers of the new covenant comes not from ourselves but from God.

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

                                                                                                            2 Corinthians 3:4-6 

2. Healthy believers are consistently renewing their minds

True spiritual transformation comes when we make the study of scripture a priority. Without God’s Word as the foundation in which we build our faith, we are subject to fall victim to the onslaught of ungodly and worldly philosophies clouding the airwaves and the culture. We are not to have “an evil conscience” rather we are to “transform our minds.” 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

                                                                                                                   Romans 12:2 

3. Healthy believers honor God with their bodies

Our daily behavior should also fall in line with our faith. While good works and the avoidance of sin come as a result of our spiritual transformation and not in an effort to be transformed, our actions should be consistent with what we profess. We are to have our “bodies washed.” This is not an outward, physical cleanliness rather it is an inward, spiritual one. Honoring God with our bodies is the reasonable thing for us to do given that fact that He gave Himself on our behalf. In view of His sacrifice, we are to live as living sacrifices to Him. 

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  

                                                                                                                        Romans 12:1 

4. Healthy believers do not waver in their faith

Just as spiritual confidence should be a characteristic of a healthy believer, so too should believers in Jesus Christ should not waver in their faith. We are told to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.” Consider the following descriptions of someone whose faith wavers:

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

                                                                                                                     James 1:5-8

The Bible describes those who waver as “double-minded,” which literally means “two-souled.” These people are moved back and forth from one philosophy to another just like the waves of the sea. They are described as “unstable in all of their ways.” This should not be the case for the healthy believer in Jesus. 

5. Healthy believers bring out the best in others

Healthy Christians always bring out the best in others around them. They are able to make friendships and then utilize those relationships for the betterment of the church and the world. Christians are to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” We are to encourage and build up one another. Just imagine if all born again believer in Jesus were to place other’s spiritual growth above their own. Imagine if Christians used their words to actually encourage others and to build them up rather than to tear them down. I believe that the discussions on social media would be vastly different than some of the recent trends. 

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another… 

                                                                             1 Thessalonians 5:11a 

6. Healthy believers understand their role in the big picture

We are told, “not to forsake our own assembling together.” I believe this includes the weekly gathering of the church but I do not believe that it is limited to just a church service. The early Christians also gathered in each other’s homes. They prayed together, worshiped together, and lived life in community together. I believe this is why Paul spoke the following words: 

But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 

                                                                                                   1 Corinthians 12:20-21 

We all have something to contribute to the kingdom. Utilizing our gifts and talents is for the purpose of edifying others. At best, neglecting the assembling with other believers is neglecting our responsibility in taking our rightful place in the church. It is robbing others of the opportunity to be encouraged by what we have to offer. Healthy Christians know their role in the body of Christ and gladly use their gifts and talents to assist others in their walk with Christ. 

7. Healthy believers encourage and build up each other

Finally, we are “to encourage one another.” It is not difficult to discern whether or not a person is a true believer or not. Believers have the ability to encourage each other in the faith even if they are not well acquainted. Unbelievers will not offer such encouragement and often will substitute encouragement with ridicule. Believers enjoy being around one another because we can feed off of the faith of other Christians. Unbelievers will usually do the opposite. They will attempt to distance themselves from Christians knowing that there is a spiritual division between those who belong to God and those who do not. 

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 

                                                                                                               Ephesians 4:29

Are you living a healthy Christian life or has your faith been derailed by useless and meaningless speculations? (Titus 3:9-11, 2 Timothy 2:14) Resolve today to put these practical instructions to use by making them a priority in your life!