Encouraging Each Other’s Faith
I was glad to have a day without appointments or a trip to Denver. I was able to get in a session with my trainer at the fitness center. Today we also enjoyed some warm temps and spring-like weather. Overall a good day to work on some things that other appointments have kept me from.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “For I want very much to see you, so I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans 1:11,12 HCSB
Paul begins his letter to the Romans with an emphasis on faith. He begins by saying, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world.” (Romans 1:8 HCSB) What a great commendation to not only have a strong commitment to “the faith” – but for your faith to be reported “in all the world.”
The key point or the “big idea” of our verse above is that faith grows by encouragement. So often individuals view faith as “private” and “personal.” While we as individuals must make a commitment of faith, our faith grows when we connect in relationship and are “mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
It is interesting that Paul did not say, “I will encourage your faith” but that their would be “mutual” encouragement. Regardless of your “spiritual maturity” or giftedness or ministry position, we all need encouragement in our life of faith.
During the visit of my friend Paul Irwin this week, I found as we shared about life, and our faith the mutual encouragement that arose. At the end of Paul’s visit, I sensed my perspective and focus changed as he shared about his life and the work he is involved in and lessons he continues to learn from his walk with the Lord.
When Tim Tebow played for the Denver Broncos, he gained a lot of attention because of his out spoken faith. I recall during a sports radio program former Bronco Ed McCaffrey made the comment, that Tim’s boldness was a challenge to him to be more open in sharing his faith with others.
Paul says that faith gives confidence and courage in sharing the gospel, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16,17 HCSB)
If we are going to live a “righteous” life, our faith must be strong. We take the Lord at His word and we believe in Him and His promises, even in the midst of the challenges, setbacks and victories in life. To have strong faith, we need to be around other people of faith who are trusting the Lord and seeing Him faithful in the events of their life. We also need to share with others, so that together our faith individually and as God’s people remains strong in a world, “who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (Romans 1:18 HCSB)