Do You Have Something To Share?
“For I want very much to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11–12, CSB)
Do you ever feel like you have difficulty contributing to your church? I don’t think it’s that uncommon of a feeling. Sometimes, it feels like others know more, do more, or at least are seen more, which can give a person a self-perception of being worth less or incapable.
Considering though, the book of Romans is undoubtedly one of the most weighty books in the New Testament. Its author, Paul, has a superb grasp of the Gospel, and his description of it is monumental. Many reading this book can feel daunted by its scope and depth, including yours truly. However, I am taken aback by a comment Paul mentions in chapter 1, verses 11 and 12. In that, Paul wants to be encouraged by the very people he is teaching. A reasonable assumption is that any encouragement in the book of Romans should be one-directional. Paul has the knowledge, and his audience does not. However, Paul says to his pupils; I have something to learn from you.
Paul was a master at teaching theology, the logical structure of knowing God, including soteriology, or knowledge of how one is saved. That is where the Gospel resides. However, the Gospel isn’t just words that live on a page in a textbook or our Bibles. The Gospel has a living effect upon those influenced by it. Those who have accepted it and now live in it. I believe that effect on a person’s life is the encouragement that Paul desires.
The idea of encouragement in this passage is the image of two people calling out to one another simultaneously. As if Paul is saying there is something to be learned in the simultaneous lesson of two people seeing how the same Gospel has changed the other and at the same time sharing what the Gospel has done in themselves to the other. In effect creating a mutual affirmation of the work within ourselves and seeing its twin result in the life of another.So, if you feel you have nothing to give another, let me ask you this question, has the Gospel changed you? If so, then you have an encouragement to give to your brother or sister in Christ. Please do not hold that encouragement back. Give it, and at the same time, be encouraged in what God has done for another.
Amen!
Thanks for sharing, Pastor Nate!
KSD