Fight the Good Fight of Faith, English Edition

 • Fight the Good Fight of Faith: Playing Your Part in God’s Unfolding Drama

in their local churches but do not have a single intimate friend within its members. To begin with, friendship is important but costly. If you are to have friends you must be open to relating to people in love (Prov. 17.17), be willing to be known and understood (John 15.13-14), and be open to receive input, even criticism, on things you may need correction on (Prov. 27.6). Friends provide the kind of warmth and counsel we need in order to grow in Christ (Prov. 27.9). The use of spiritual gifts among each other can be like the sharpening of a file on a knife: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27.17. Given these truths, what is most important for you right now to do if you are going to form strong, meaningful relationships with others in your local church? Jesus wants us to grow as disciples and to fight the good fight of faith of spiritual warfare, not by yourself but with other believers, in community together. If you have not attended church regularly, make a commitment right now to become a member of a fellowship. Ask mature believers where they gather with others each week for worship, and then make a commit ment to go. Inquire about their new members class, and begin attending a Sunday School class and/or a small group, Bible study, or cell group. Don’t be discouraged, but determine that you will be patient as you get to know other believers, use your gifts to build them up, and learn from them as well. Also, make an effort to get to know your pastors (or leaders, or elders, however they may be named in your church). Let them know that you attend the church, and will be praying for them. Ask for a visit, and share with them who you are. Help your leaders lead you better: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you (Heb. 13.17).” Make up your mind to be a strong believer in the community with others. God will give you grace as you press forward with them into a strong Christian life together.

Connection

Because Jesus has commanded his disciples to love one another, I commit myself to life in church community, forgiving and submitting to one another.

Affirmation