Biblical Building Block #17 Edify One Another (I Thessalonians 5:11) – Part 2

Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”

Biblical Building Block #17 Edify One Another (I Thessalonians 5:11) – Part 2

I Thessalonians 5:11, Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Until Christ returns, we are also to edify, or build up, each other. This is the idea of investing in people in such a way they become spiritually stronger and more mature. At times, we all need encouragement and building up. Continual encouragement and edification keeps us ready for Christ’s return. II Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

The fundamental way we edify one another is through teaching and instruction. A Christian is built up in his faith as he learns more about the Bible and increases his knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can also edify the body of Christ through witnessing, good works, and being an example. God wants us to be like a sponge in the sense that what we take in should be given back out. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 2:2, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

The church will only be strong when every member seeks to build up other members. As Paul writes Ephesians 4:15-16, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Paul challenged his readers to encourage and build up one another just as they were doing. It suggests stirring people to make a decision for Christ and to grow in him. Paul was telling them to motivate one another to get up and get busy doing what God wanted them to do.

This process of encouraging and building up is the responsibility of the entire church, not just of the leaders. Paul said it was the grace of God that allowed him to build the lives of others according to the grace of God. Because of that he charges, “…let every man take heed how he buildeth…”. I Corinthians 3:10, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” All of us are builders and we must be careful to build wisely.

This whole passage is about the coming of the Lord. No one is above being encouraged, comforted, strengthened, and edified in the faith. We must be encouraging one another on in the faith. The church could learn a lot from birds! When geese migrate they can be seen flying in a V- shaped formation. While to us on the ground it is a thing of beauty, to the geese it is essential for survival. If you watch them, you will observe that at certain intervals, relative to the strength of the headwind, the lead bird—who was doing the most work by breaking the force of the wind will drop off and fly at the end of the formation. The reason for this is that the V-formation is much more efficient than flying close; up to 60 percent less work is required! It has been discovered that the flapping wings create an uplift of air, an effect that is greater at the rear of the formation. So the geese take turns ‘uplifting' one another. By cooperating and working together, the geese can achieve long migrations that would otherwise be exceedingly difficult for the strongest and deadly for the others.

In a similar manner, when believers in Christ actively uplift one another through prayer, sharing material means, and heart-to-heart friendship and caring, they can go further into godliness than if they attempt their pilgrimage alone. God does not want us flying alone, that is why He has placed each believer in a local flock. Each local flock has a responsibility to comfort and edify one another in the faith. The Thessalonians were indeed comforting and encouraging one another.

Point to Ponder:
The Thessalonians were living like Jesus could come today!

Question to Consider:
Are we living like Jesus can come today?

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for putting people in my life to encourage me. I thank You for Your Son, Your Spirit, my sweetheart, and sweet church family. In Jesus Name, AMEN!

Thank you for reading PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #17 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Biblical Building Block #18 of this series.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com