“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift
to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged
by each other’s faith.”
Romans 1:11-12
The apostle Paul makes a strong case for living in community. We need one another in the body of Christ. Living with fellow believers both propels (Romans 1:11-12) and protects (Hebrews 3:13) us.
Mutual encouragement means we both release and receive encouragement. There is a sweet, beautiful rhythm that comes from members of the body of Christ investing in one another. God created us to need, depend upon, and encourage each other.
The writer of Ecclesiastes taught us that “two are better than one” and Paul confirms this truth in the passage above. The love we show one another may manifest itself as affirmation, a gentle rebuke, wisdom, or just spurring each other on to “keep on keeping on.”
Mutual encouragement is cultivated in the soil of trust and security. It takes time to grow this relationship and enjoy the fruit it bears. Growth comes when the relationship is well watered with honor, respect, and a teachable spirit.
It takes time.
We don’t plant a seed today and expect to harvest a watermelon tomorrow. Likewise, the blessing of faith-based mutual encouragement also takes time to mature.
This mutual-encouragement/faith-nurturing relationship is only possible when both parties are committed to the end goal of maturing in Christ, bringing glory to God, and living a Spirit-filled life.
Time spent with an encouragement partner fills us up. We leave these encounters renewed, invigorated, equipped, and committed to God and His Word. We leave those conversations ever more determined to live an active faith.
When we choose to invest in the life of a fellow believer, we find that the blessings roll back to us—we leave our coffee meeting or lunch date filled up and ready to pour out. God is faithful to speak to us through fellow believers who share our love for Him and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Do you have a mutual encourager in your life? Is there an accountability partner that you meet with regularly to discuss your journey of faith? Taking just one hour each week (or every other week) can be a life-changing investment of time. In this one hour, you can share what God is teaching you (which holds you accountable to abide in the Word of God), share your successes and challenges in living out your faith, and wrap up by sharing your personal and even confidential prayer requests.
My accountability partner is a godly woman who loves Jesus and is committed to His Word. After reaping the harvest of mutual encouragement, it would be difficult for me to overstate the tremendous blessing this relationship has had on my life.
As you and I continue forward in devotion to our Lord, growing our faith, may we also embrace the blessing of living in community and mutually encouraging one another.
In this week’s devotional video, Laura shared Good Friday reflections on John 1:14. We invite you to listen and spend a few moments this Easter Sunday in reflective meditation on Christ Jesus — the WORD who became flesh, the One who came from the Father, full of grace and truth — whose resurrection we celebrate today.
