Christian vs. Christian

As Christians, we love to be comforted by other Christians who have a faith that looks just like ours. There is a special bond there, and we feel right at home.

So when we meet someone who calls herself a Christ-follower but her walk looks different than ours or she holds different social or political views than ours, we seem to experience the opposite of comfort; we feel disrupted and disappointed.

And, quite frankly, we haven't handled this very well lately.

Can I show you something that I found in Romans chapter one? In this chapter, Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome. He had been preaching and teaching at this point for about 20 years, which means that he has been through a whole lot with the church already.

Romans 1:11-12 says, "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."

What caught my eye were the words "mutually encouraged." It would be reasonable to read this as though he wanted them to come alongside one another and run the same race of faith and pat each other on the back as they go (think of how you feel when someone says they are of the same church denomination as you- instant fuzzies, right?)

But the word "encourage" here in the Greek does not mean to "comfort" one another.

In Greek, it means to "encourage together." Ok, let's break that down.

Paul was speaking to Christians in Rome, telling them to "encourage together" by being willing to listen to each other, to understand that each Christian has different perspectives and experiences, and by giving each other something new to learn (instead of agreeing on all of the same things).

We haven't been "encouraging together" very well lately, according to Facebook and Instagram, at least. I think we can agree on that.

When Paul talks about their faith, he refers to it in terms of "Both yours and mine,"; Indicating the same Object of worship but different experiences.

This verse in Romans is the only verse in the Bible to use the word "encouragement" in this way. The term "encouragement" in the New Testament is usually defined as "comfort" in the Greek. This form of the word, meaning "comfort," can be found in other places like Acts, Romans, 1Cor., Philippians, and Hebrews. So we must take note of the difference here.

The two things that should bring us a comforting encouragement are God Himself and God's Word. Other Christians should "encourage together" towards God Himself and God's Word; they should not be the replacement for comfort.

Are we looking to other Christians to fill the void that only God and His Word can fill right now? Are we hoping that other Christians will say the right political and social things so that we can feel safe and secure in our own beliefs? Do other Christians have to speak the language of your political party to gain your trust and favor?

If so, then the divide will only continue to grow, and the Gospel will be silent in us.

Paul says, "mutually encourage," or "encourage together"; Work together, listen, challenge one another, share truth, and call out the lies. Why?

Because if you follow Jesus Christ, who hung on a cross and rose after three days, then you can believe that your Foundation and your Future are the same. You just have to choose to embrace her different experiences and perspectives.

Paul knew that, under stress, Christians tend to look for other Christians who would check out the same. It's natural, and it's easy. He called for Christians to sharpen each other and to be sharpened means to interact with those Christians who are not exact replicas of us.

Pray for your sisters who don't vote or post like you. Let's start the day on our knees. Will you join me?

The world is looking at us. Let's not give them a front-row seat to a battle over our differences, but a collaboration + celebration of our experiences that all point to the greatness of One Name; Jesus.

With Love, Em