BUILDING UP OTHERS

Romans 15:2 New Living Translation

“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.”

            Paul’s statement previous to the above verse is that we are to be considerate of others who are not as spiritually mature as us. He also writes that we aren’t to just please ourselves. Sorry folks, but we are supposed to be on the bottom of the totem pole. God first, spouse second, others third and ourselves last. 

We should always seek to encourage and edify those around us, whether they are a believer or non-believer. Be real, not fake. God knows we aren’t perfect so let the world see you in your rawest form. I don’t mean we should be course or rude, but we are what we are and until the Lord’s work is done we’ll not be finished. Be relevant, be genuine, be forgiving, be merciful … allow God to use you, for he uses the lesser things to bring down the prideful. 

            This is precisely why I have been banging the drum about imitating Christ. Once we’re redeemed we have a job to do, a responsibility, so to speak. God doesn’t need us, but chooses to use us to minister as his Ambassadors to a fallen world.  As Pastor Rick Warren famously said, “It’s not all about you!” That’s a hard pill for some of us to swallow, but it’s a necessary metamorphosis that must take place so we can be more like Christ. Our plans need to be placed on the back burner at times, but the Lord never short changes his children. Trust him and do that which you feel impressed to do. If it’s the Spirit of God you’ll either immediately or eventually know it. 

            If you’re anything like me, and I pray you are not, you would have horrible concentration. Is it any wonder I call some of my writings “Thoughts From a Random Mind”. But the Lord can enable me to focus when it is most important and since he is no respecter of persons he can enable you as well. Talk to him like you would a most trusted friend. Try to do more listening than talking. You can listen to him speak to your heart thru the reading of his word, listening to a sermon or the lyrics from a meaningful song. Hone your focus to where you can fixate on something or someone and draw from them all the Lord wants you to have. In the end you will be blessed and others will begin to see Christ in you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible