Leaning On One Another

 

I heard about a road crew that was assigned to work on a particular stretch of highway. After arriving at the worksite, it was determined that they had a problem. A phone-call was made to the office, “Boss, we have a problem; we only have one shovel.” To this the boss replied, “Well… just lean on one another until I get there.”

[Acts 14:21-22] “…strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith; (Paul and Barnabas preached) ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.’” As Christians we should take heed to what the boss told his road crew and learn to lean on one another when we lack the tools to stand strong and/or alone. If you have done any living at all, you know by now that this present world can be a tough place to live - and it ain’t getting any easier! We can surely use some help now and again if we are to survive what this world can throw at us. Do you ever think about what is the real purpose of the church? Is your local congregation only a place to gather for “church services”? According to the book of Acts, the church was not a gathering place, such as a building, but the church (the local congregation - baptized believers are the church of God; the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12: 12-13; 27, Colossians 1:18; 24)) would gather at a certain place. Those who were Christians met together for Lord’s Day worship (i.e. Acts 20:7). The early Christians, in addition to worship, met together to encourage one another (Acts 2:42-47). The Hebrew writer, concerned that some were losing their faith, said, “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:12-13). Christians are less likely to fall away when we spend time encouraging one another. I think we can see from the Word of God that Christians gather for worship and to lean on one another until the Lord returns or we depart from this earthly life. If we shared a common goal to build up one another, the church would be better for it. Paul wrote, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:1-2). We live in a world that presents tremendous challenges for everyone, and the Christian is not exempt. Paul sent Timothy, “…to strengthen and encourage you in your faith so that no one would be unsettled in these trials. You know quite well we were destined for them. In fact when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless” (1 Thessalonians 3:2-5). Likewise, until the Lord comes, like Paul, let us lean on and encourage one another (Romans 14:19).

Our world is full of sadness and sorrow. Death comes and takes our loved ones. Financial troubles wreck our future plans. Sickness robs us of what we had envisioned for our lives. If we are not disciplined, we let these things rob us of our happy life. Jesus knew life would be hard on his disciples; it was hard on him too. “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He has robbed death of its power (1 Corinthians 15:50-58); He has promised us an eternal home (Revelation 21:1-5). Be positive and hopeful. Together we can overcome through Him!