Pursuing Faith With Those Who Call on The Lord Out a Pure Heart

The coal nestled with others in the fire 

will brightly glow and continue to fulfill 

its purpose, but a coal separate from 

the glowing embers of the fire will 

soon cool, become ashen, and 

fall short in fulfilling its purpose.

    One of the reasons God established the church and instructs us to gather together, be together, pursue good things together is because He knew we need to be helped and we need to learn to be helpful. Consider Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and Galatians 6:1-10.     

    In Paul’s letter to the Roman brethren, he states his hope to be an encouragement to them and in turn be encouraged by them, because of the faith they share (Romans 1:12).

    When we join ourselves to a congregation of believers – those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart - we need to commit ourselves to them, just as faithfully as we commit ourselves to our walk with God. How else can we encourage those with whom we share a faith? How else can they be an encouragement to us? See Hebrews 10:23-25, Ephesians 4:29, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11.  

    When we are faithful (in attendance and in active involvement) to the church, we have the blessing of others caring for us, seeking our best interests, and watching out for us. We have help in physical sickness and also in spiritual weakness (see James 5:13-20). If we are only there occasionally how will others know if we are sick (either physically or spiritually), how can we be a benefit to others when we aren’t there enough to realize these same concerns occurring in their lives?

    Consistently gathering with brethren for bible study and worship helps us to better understand the scriptures (Acts 17:11, 18:24, and consider the work of the preacher in 2 Timothy 4:1-5). Gathering together with those who call on the Lord out a pure heart allows us to better understand how to get through life’s struggles (Titus 2:3-5, Galatians 6:1-10), and how to better get along with others (Romans 12:9-18).

    Are you nestled together with “those who have obtained like precious faith”? Are you doing all you can to encourage fellow Christians to keep “glowing” and motivating them to fulfill their beautiful purpose of living for God? Keep burning bright! Continue to help those around you to keep seeking God and His perfect way (Romans 12:10-11)!

    Are you feeling a little “ashen”? Have you stepped away from worship and bible study and allowed your zeal for God and good works to cool? Look for ways to once again involve yourself in the work. Call up a sister in Christ and discuss ways you can get active and have your embers fanned to flame again! Pray for your appetite for God’s word and ways to increase your zeal (see Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-11, and consider 1 Peter 2:1-3)! Desire to fulfill your purpose in serving God!

“For You will light my lamp; 

the LORD my God will 

enlighten my darkness.” 

(Psalm 1:28 NKJV)

    Pursue faith, not by yourself, but with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart! There are manifold blessings that come from being a member of the body of Christ – we can encourage and be encouraged, we can help and be helped (see Ephesians 4:14-16)! Do your part today! We’re counting on you, just as you are counting on us!

You can do it! So can I!!