Scripture to Read: Romans 1:12
As God had used Paul to share with the believers in Rome how he had been encouraged by their faith, then God had Paul mention how he hoped to help establish them through the preaching of God’s Word. Then, in Romans 1:12, God had Paul lay out the purpose for helping get the believers established in God’s Truth. God had Paul write, that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. Paul’s goal was not on how the believers in Rome could serve him. Paul had been encouraged by their example, and he wanted to bring them God’s Truth to encourage them. The encouragement would be mutual, and Paul desired that they would bring comfort to each other’s faith. Right here lies a great truth about having strong Christian friendships. We should bring mutual encouragement to one another as followers of Christ. In the Christian life, our spiritual growth is not meant to be done in isolation but in the context of a strong Christian community, which is the local church. The church does not exist for us to be served, but to serve our Lord by helping and encouraging each other. We must take time each week to invest in a church leader or a friend in our community group at church. God wants to use us to encourage each other so we grow in our spiritual life. We will both be mutually encouraged in our faith when we do this, and our Lord will be exalted through our obedience.
Challenge & Application
· What does God’s Word say about mutual encouragement in Christian relationships?
· Who can you encourage in their spiritual walk this week?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!