SCRIPTURE: Romans 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [Luke 22:31-32] These words from Jesus offer a warning, an encouragement, and a calling. Jesus warns Peter (and us) that we will be tested severely. But the encouragement is that Jesus will stand by us, and that we will not fail. The calling is to support other believers with the strength we ourselves have received.
Paul has been through the fire. He has stood firm, and desires to share a blessing with the believers in Rome [Romans 1:11-12]. But from this verse we see that Paul also expects to be blessed – mutually encouraged. And in Romans 16 we see that mutual blessing.
Look at the words he uses to describe the believers in Rome: Fellow workers in Christ Jesus, risking their lives for him, working very hard in the Lord, outstanding among the apostles, loved in the Lord, tested and approved in Christ, saints in Christ Jesus. These are people that Paul has met in his missionary journeys, who have been a blessing to him. He loves them, and longs to bless them back.
Following Jesus will be hard. There will be people who are divisive, who serve their own appetites, who use smooth talk and flattery to divide, defeat and destroy. Yes, Satan is afoot, but he will be crushed under our feet. Thankfully, in the challenge of following Jesus, the fellowship and mutual support of other believers is an amazing blessing. Following Jesus is hard, but we are not alone.
This list of names reveals the “strengthen your brothers” heart of Jesus. Take what we have received through our spiritual journey, and use it to bless others: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” [2 Corinthians 1:3-4]
Take time today to thank the Lord for the people in your life that are a blessing to you. And then respond to His call: strengthen your brothers (and sisters)!
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the many supporters in my life. Help me to bless them and others, as they have blessed me!
Yes,I too was reminded of all those who support and bless me, especially in a difficult week. Thank-You God.
We are surrounded – surrounded by so many people who are partners in the ministry of proclaiming the Good News. Be watchful of those who create divisions, looking after their own appetites – serving themselves.
We need to be living letters so all may know that we serve the living God. Those who oppose us will be crushed but in the meantime, we go forward, encouraging one another because it is He who will make His kingdom come.
Help us daily Lord to be Your instruments of peace. Thank You for Your Spirit to lead us and guide us and encourage us on our way. Help me to be a blessing to all those who have blessed me on my way. May all Your people be a blessing one to another. Oneanothering!
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.