Encourage Who

DEVOTION

ROMANS

ENCOURAGE WHO

Rom 1:11-12

11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith
NIV

Is there some secret to this spiritual gift? I think not, it is surely so clear to see the gift which Paul speaks he wishes to impart to those faithful believers in Rome is encouragement and to be encouraged. A mutual encouragement spawned by the faith of another. Words of encouragement might do well to boast a fellow believer’s ego, making him think more highly of himself then he should or spur him onto more deeds, deeds which could be done through the humanist as well, but does it actually bring true encouragement. These words spoken to endeavor to bring encouragement might actually have a negative impact. True encouragement as we see in this passage comes from one believer being in the presence of another believer whose faith in Jesus Christ is so strong and so outwardly expressed it builds the other’s faith. Are you not so encouraged when you stand in the presence of someone who has that unwavering trust in our Lord? When for no apparent humanistic reason, this person is so happy and content, believing beyond the physical evidence in the incomparable love and provision of our Lord that your faith is build. To be encouraged by another’s faith. Here in this passage this faith, the Greek word is defined as one’s persuasion such as moral conviction and when used in the Christian or religious sense, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. It is also used abstractly in the sense of one’s consistency is such a profession. So in both senses Paul and those in Rome will be encouraged by each other. Will we?

Lord, help me to demonstrate my faith, my complete total trust in you, first of all my salvation, and also for every aspect of my life, in order that others may be encouraged.