Back to Articles

Living Beyond Ourselves 

Living Beyond Ourselves
Life Application

Living Beyond Ourselves

• By Gideon Adegunle

Bible Reference: Hebrews 10: 24

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (NIV)

The abundant life (John 10:10b) requires living beyond ourselves.
It demands intentionality and mindfulness to consistently stir up love and good works among fellow believers.
To the average Christian, this can feel like a burden or an added stress — because true fellowship often calls for painful, sacrificial decisions.

Three Levels of Maturity in Christian Fellowship

1. Those who crave satisfaction from others

They come needing to be fed, affirmed, and constantly encouraged.
Their fellowship is mostly about “what can I receive?”
They often feel offended or discouraged if they don’t feel noticed or filled up.

2. Those who are content to walk with others

They have grown to enjoy mutual encouragement, walking side-by-side with others.
Their focus is “let’s grow together.”
They are less easily shaken, giving and receiving strength in community.

3. Those who intentionally stir others up

They come to fellowship looking for how they can pour into others.
Their mindset is “who can I lift today?”
They live out Hebrews 10:24 — considering others and stirring up love and good works.

Lessons from David’s Example

When David gathered men in the wilderness, he did not gather the best or the strongest.
Instead, he gathered the distressed, the indebted, and the discontented (1 Samuel 22:2).
Yet, through the stirring of God’s Spirit in him, he raised them to become mighty men — the best versions of themselves.

Questions and Reflection

As Christians today, we must ask ourselves:

  • What kind of influence are we among fellow believers?

  • Are we a source of encouragement or a source of discouragement?

  • Are we building others up, or are we slandering and tearing them down behind their backs, while acting falsely to their faces?

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of fellowship, not isolation.
He is the very bond that holds the Father and the Son together.
And His bond extends to the Church — He is the seal that unites us, especially when strife and difficult situations arise.

Conclusion

Let’s yield to the Spirit and become true builders of the body of Christ!

Last updated: April 27, 2025

Explore more content 

Spiritual Self-Deception
Spiritual Growth
Spiritual Self-Deception

Spiritual self-deception develops gradually, shaped by: prosperity, religion, familiarity, blessings which over time can make the soul learn to function without urgency for God.

3 min read
T.H.A.N.K.S
Life Application
T.H.A.N.K.S

Gratitude is not a feeling; it is a discipline. It is mannerful when you always say and show thank you. Its something you learn to do when you have been shown love or considered. God does not command thanksgiving because life is always pleasant. He commands it because thanksgiving aligns the heart with truth.

3 min read
Intuition and the Voice of the Holy Spirit
Life Application
Intuition and the Voice of the Holy Spirit

This is the key: the Word of the Lord makes your intuition wise. Intuition alone is unreliable. But intuition renewed by the Word and led by the Holy Spirit becomes spiritual discernment. The Word makes us wise. The Spirit makes us sure.

4 min read