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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. Romans 1:11-12

Paul was confident that when he arrived in Rome, he would be able to impart something of spiritual value to the Christian believers there. But that was not the whole story. He also looked forward to receiving from them as well - that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

There are many in the Christian world today who place a great deal of emphasis on the place of prominent public ministry. In North America particularly (as well as in parts of Africa and Asia), it is common to hear of Joe Bloggs Ministries - organisations built around the gifting and calling of a particular man.

Paul was unashamed of his unique call to be an apostle - a fact we have already seen from his opening words in this letter. But Paul did not understand "his" ministry to exist in isolation from the body of Christ as a whole. He believed strongly in the principle of mutuality - the sharing of gifts and resources within, among and between the Christian family. He had things to impart; and the Christians in Rome had things to share with him.

Although uniquely gifted, Paul still wanted to receive spiritual blessing from the believers in Rome. He looked forward to being encouraged by their faith which they would share with him.

Put another way, Paul was not a one-man-ministry. He believed strongly in the life of God exhibited and shared within and between individual churches.

In the context of our age - characterised by rugged individualism and the exaltation of consumer choice - it is a truly radical position to hold that my Christian faith can only truly find expression when it is shared with other believers. A local church may be extremely large, well organised and contemporary in its music and style. But if the believers who are gathering in that group are not encouraging one another through the mutual sharing of each other's faith, then we are missing something essential about the true nature of the church.

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. Romans 1:11-12

Posted in mutuality in the church More Important Than Anything | | | | 278 reads