Who do you know better: your favorite television characters or your friends?
God created us with a deeper need for friendship than for work or entertainment. Yet many friendships, even "close" friendships, are shallow. No wonder so many people are depressed, discouraged, and lonely.
To grow in Christ, we need a sense of community and meaningful relationships. Many of our emotional problems are solved by sharing our joys and sorrows with others (Romans 12:15).
Hebrews 10:24-25 says: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
We often use this passage as a command to attend church, but it's more about relationships than meetings. Yes, we should attend church, but that rarely provides the kind of mutual encouragement we need.
If you don't have it, find a community where you can give and receive encouragement to grow in Christ.
More Scriptural guidance about fellowship:
We are called to encourage, challenge, correct, teach, forgive and love each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Hebrews 3:13: "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
Ephesians 4:15: "Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Colossians 3:13: "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Galatians 6:1-2: "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
See also Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12.
Bible Love Notes
This is such a great post, so full of truth. One of the many beautiful gifts God has given us is friendship. It is sad Gail that some people don't take the time to nurture this gift and watch it grow. I thank God for all of my friends and I thank you for sharing these words of wisdom.
ReplyDelete:) Love this one, my friend.
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't TV and I greatly value my friends at church, those who moved far away, and some special bloggie friends (like you). I have gone through times (like now) where special friends have moved on but then God brings me in tighter with Him and my husband.
ReplyDeleteGail, thanks for this important post. I was recently at a retreat where the theme was the value and nurturing of friendships. I can't imagine doing life without my closest friends and my community of believers.
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate your wise words.
Blessings to you, my friend ~ Mary
I just read the best definition of a friend: "Someone who sticks by you when life takes a bite out of your heart." I am so blessed to have friends like this. Glad you're one of them :)
ReplyDeleteLove the spirit behind the post. However, for the readers that was an encouragement to meet together to provoke or stir up each other. So, it's not about church attendance but there is an expectation that for this encouragement to happen you need to be part of a godly body.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's important to be part of a church. What I hoped to convey in this devotion is our need for more than a Sunday morning service - our need for personal fellowship with other believers.
ReplyDelete