Read Romans 1:8-15

“…that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” (Romans 1:12)

Paul had the pen of a ready writer. He sat in the seaport town of Cenchrea (see Romans 16:1), nearby Corinth, and began write his masterpiece presentation on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the church at Rome, which sat approximately 400 miles away over the northern inlet bay of the Mediterranean Sea. As far as Paul was concerned, he was preparing to cross the finish line in the race of faith and see the Lord soon (see Acts 20:24). Before he sets out on his final journey to Jerusalem, he wants to make sure to carefully expound the full revelation of the Gospel to the church.

As any dying man would, you can imagine Paul’s emotions were raw, and his desire to see the church in Rome was as strong as a mother bear’s passion for her cubs. Paul desired one last time to be with them in order that they would be “encouraged together” through “their mutual faith.”

The word translated “encouragement” that Paul uses here is the same word used by Christ when He calls the Holy Spirit “the Comforter.” In English, we forget that the word “encourage” means “to bring someone courage.” The idea is one of building up, strengthening and helping one another — and for the Christian, the means for doing this is our common faith (see Titus 1:4).

Too often we forget that our greatest tool for encouragement is our mutual faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The general population of mankind is busy about encouraging each other in natural things which have no lasting promise. They pat each other on the back in the hope that things will get better for them tomorrow. Worldly encouragement has a quick expiration date, but the encouragement which comes through our common faith in Christ has everlasting benefits.

Rather than mere and empty wishful thinking, the Christian has the vast resource of Truth by which to strengthen the weak hands and feeble knees.

To the downcast, we can strengthen with the favorable countenance of the Lord.

To the sick, we can apply the balm of comfort by remembering Christ’s sympathy and help in time of need.

To the anxious, we can offer the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.

To those in debt, we can remind them they are rich in Christ with every spiritual blessing.

To those in need, we can exhort to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all their needs will be added to them.

To the persecuted, we can remind them that Christ, too, was unjustly beaten, yet He did not revile.

To those bound in condemnation, we can refresh them in the abounding grace of God in Christ.

To those unloved, we can remind them of the love of God which they cannot be separated from in Christ.

To those overwhelmed by the state of the world, we can comfort with the trumpet sound of Christ’s return.

To those weeping because of death, we can remind them of the day He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, when there will be no more sorrow, and death will be no more.

Do you see the beauty of this heavenly encouragement that is built on our common faith? This is why we need each other and must never live isolated as Christians.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24–25)

So lean into this encouragement. Let it stir you up. If you need encouragement, don’t be shy to freely access it in the body of Christ. If you see someone in need of encouragement, don’t hold back this opportunity to lift up your brother or sister in Christ. For when we do this we will become each other’s wings to soar high above this temporary world.

“…Be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2–3)

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