11/11/2026
When we gave our life to Christ, did we become changed people? Did we join with all those who had come before us in reestablishing our lives, and allowing Jesus to give us a fresh start? Did we follow Jesus into righteous and holy lives of worshipping God with all His saints? We are meant to leave behind those things that once defined us and become like Christ... Godly, righteous, and Holy. Are you still wandering alone?
“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.”
Colossians 3:9-11 ESV
What gives us the strength to succeed at things we have never been able to accomplish before? What helps an addict kick their addiction? What changes the way we speak, act, perceive the world, and treat other people? It is most certainly abiding in Christ, and reading the Word of God, but it is also our uniting with other saints such that we strengthen each other continually.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 ESV
Helping each other to become Christ-like, and to follow the commandments of God, is imperative if our faith is to grow. There is much wisdom in the old saying that “Together we stand, but divided we fall”, just as there is in the motto of the three musketeers when they said, “one for all, and all for one”, and in the reassurance of our Lord Jesus when He says...
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."”
Matthew 18:20 ESV
Jesus strengthens us, changes us, and gives us those things that renew us in faith, and when we model ourselves after Him, then we can do those same things for one another. Listen to Paul as he writes in Romans..
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.”
Romans 1:11-12 ESV
Alone our lives might change somewhat, but together we are much more than simply one, and our lives in Christ are made stronger because of it. One of us might seek to follow our faith, but two of us seeking faith together will certainly insure that we are both on the path of righteousness.
My mother always taught me to choose my friends wisely, and told me that I was known by the company I kept. That was a valuable lesson, but one I had to learn the hard way on more than one occasion. Choosing rowdy and sinful friends will drag you into a sinful life just as surely as righteous friends will lift you up and help you to live righteously. There is no mystery here... just the application of simple human nature, and little did I know at the time that her wisdom was of biblical origin...
“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Proverbs 12:26 NKJV
So, we leave behind our old life of sin, and catch hold of a new life in Jesus. We leave behind friends that once led us astray, and make righteous new friends. We lean not on our own understanding, but let the Holy Spirit lead us in the knowledge and understanding of God’s Holy Word. We gather together so that Jesus might meet us there, and strengthen us. If we do this then our life will be made new, and it will be refreshed every day. God will restore our soul!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”
Psalms 23:1-3 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for realizing that man is not meant to be alone, and not only for giving wives to husbands, and husbands to wives, but for providing us with faithful friends that will help us in our quest for righteousness, and holiness. Thank you Holy Father for the promise Jesus made when He said that where two or more of us are gathered together, that He would be there also. Help us Lord as we strive to change our lives! Strengthen us Lord God as we throw off our old sinful nature, and turn to you. You are our strength and our shield Father, and as we stand together as one with your saints we are made stronger than when we were alone. Help us to see that if we stand shoulder to shoulder, and shield to shield, that you will strengthen us in your Word, and loving kindness. Place us in the company of your saints Lord, and allow them to become our multipliers in faith. Holy, Holy, Holy are you who rules over the multitude and sets it together as one before you... ever strong, ever righteous, ever praising you, and ever singing of your glory. Praised be your name always and forever Abba, and may all glory and honor be yours throughout eternity as we increase in faith and righteousness.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.”
Psalms 28:7-8 ESV
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Rich Forbes