I remember believing early on in my faith that it was just Jesus and me. You see, I had been hurt so many times that I falsely believed that the Christian life was Jesus rescuing me from everyone else. In reality, He established my relationship with the Father, was rescuing me from myself, my sin, and all the lies I believed, and was also rebuilding my relationships with others.
Verses like the one above help us see that Part of God’s redemptive plan is for us to pursue Him together with others. Ephesians 4 makes it clear that we need one another in order to grow. This includes exercising our gifts as well as embracing forgiveness. So even when others sin, we are afforded the opportunity for growth. We must walk together to fulfill God’s plan for us.
Personal Reflection
Are you pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace with other true believers? Or are you trying to make it a me and Jesus production? Read Ephesians 4 and let His word have its way in your heart about this matter. Step out and trust His design for your growth. Remember a key here is to make sure you are walking with those that call on Him with a pure heart. You need genuine Christians to help point you back to Jesus when your mind is not focused on Him.
Prayer Focus
Heavenly Father, we thank You that Your thoughts and ways are higher than ours. We praise You that your salvation leads us to a place of relationship with you as well as true believers. Help us to see our need for one another and to walk together with them as we pursue You. We trust in You and your perfect plans, in Jesus name we pray, Amen!
#TruthTalk4Life
@brianfriedl
2 thoughts on “Why Together?”
Hi Brian thank you very much for your posts. They encourage me in so many ways. I struggle with being hurt and holding on to grudges. I pray constantly that God would cleanse my heart and help me see others as he does. What things have helped you to over come this struggle? Thank you and God bless!! Barbara
Hi Barbara, so glad that you’re being encouraged! You’re on the right track. Prayer is a great starting point. Here are some additional things that have helped me:
1) knowing my value to God (see https://brianfriedl.com/am-i-valuable/). I have studied and repeated these truths to myself daily. Not for the purpose of focusing on myself but removing my doubts so I can fully serve him without focusing on myself, remembering I have everything I need in Christ.
2) knowing my mission (Matthew 28:18-20, 2 cor 5:17, Romans 12, 1 cor 12, Ephesians 4)
3) seek God and ask for forgiveness for myself and for me to forgive those who have hurt me. (Matthew 6:9-15, Matthew 18:21-35)
4) realize that God wastes nothing. All that hurt gives you a platform to serve those with the same hurts. They know you understand what they are going through. You have the LORD to comfort you so that you can comfort them with the comfort you have received. (2 cor 1). Find ways to serve those with the same hurts you’ve had. When you do, you start to see God’s redemptive work in it all. I don’t want to minimize the hurt in any way. It is both real and painful. My choice;however, is to focus on movement toward healing.
5) get involved in a small study group where you interact, be vulnerable, and pray with others. This helps you see that people generally are doing what they can with the information and skills they have. For example, a mom who uses drugs to numb her pain is not being a good parent but that might be the only thing she knows to deal with her struggles. As a matter of fact, might be the best thing she had found so far. Had she been introduced to Jesus earlier on, she would not have had to resort to drugs as an option in the first place.
6) healing takes time. As you do more of the things above, the faster you are required to deal with your hurt
Hope this helps. Be sure to leave me some feedback if this was helpful or if you have other questions. Praying for you as you walk this journey. Blessings to you!
Comments are closed.