May 20, 2006, Jerry wrote on Romans 2:12 which says, "I long to see you that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." Once again, the scripture encourages each of us to have companions in Christ.
"Paul, in writing to the Christians in Rome, tells of his longing to come to Rome to preach and teach and be mutually encouraged. This is God's plan for His church on earth that we meet together and mutually encourage and build one another up in the faith. When a piece of charcoal is removed from the heat of the fire, it will soon cool off and become cold. In like manner, gathering together to praise God keeps the fire in Christians burning brightly for the world to see.
"Without other Christians, my faith walk would be much harder. In contact and fellowship with others, my faith is built up and I'm encouraged. Lord Jesus, Keep us meeting together to mutually encourage one another that others might see the warm glow of your love. Amen"
Can you see the advantage of Christians today versus the people in the Old Testament who did not have the Word of God written in stories and verse? They only had their own memories to remind them of their Holy God, and at the same time there were so many others who believed only in their little gods and superstitions. Yet, today the world has lots of other things that the masses enjoy and trust, primarily their earning power and accumulation of money, things, and experiences to brag about.
We are not without our own desires for funds that will equip our families, good jobs, educations, and things to ease our life, and loving people around us, both friends and families. We are not blameless. But, we do recognize that God asks us to show we are sorry. And after repentance, and accepting forgiveness, we desire peace and joy. God can give us peace; but he also asks for obedience. God can give us joy, also; but He also requires us to trust Him through difficulties. Our hardest task is to trust God when things seem to go haywire. But trust, we must. And in the tougher moments, we can go to our Christian friends and ask that they pray for our continued desire to trust and obey.
I hope you have a Christian friend. I am praying, right now, that you might find a Christian friend, as you seek to understand the privilege of knowing Christ and living in His Way.
God bless you!
Jo INMN
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