The Trinity of Divine Edification

Colossians 2:1-5

1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I
have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as
many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit
together in love, and unto all riches of the full
assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement
of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of
Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you
with enticing words.
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with
you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order,
and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

In the above passage, Paul teaches us to edify one another, without discouragement, in the wisdom and knowledge of God the Father and Christ Jesus. We are called to encourage and build up in faith the body of Christ. This can come in the form of one on one conversations about faith in Christ or it can come simply from going to church or any way you reach out to believers to encourage them in Christ and let them know you love them and are concerned for them. Let us not forget that in this example that Paul gives, he is writing from a Roman prison and is not concerned with his own struggles but expresses deep love and concern for the early church in Colosse. He is fighting for fellow believers. Are you willing to fight for fellow believers?

Galatians 5:13-15

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;
only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,
but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in
this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed
that ye be not consumed one of another.

Paul seeks the edification of the church, not the defamation of it by way of backbiting and the arguments of simpletons within a church. Paul knows discouragement is a killer - that within we seek to be encouraged and built up by one another, so we should diligently seek opportunities to love, build up, encourage and edify in the good news of Christ one another of our brethren.

God is also an encourager and if you are encouraging someone you are doing God's work, but a discourager is of the devil. Stay focused on what the word of God tells you to do and how to feel and what is important to know and do not rely on the lies of your own feelings. Your feelings can lie to you and be a discourager, but the word of God is full of encouragement.

1 John 1:6-7

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and
walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood
of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Galatians 5:6

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth
any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which
worketh by love.

Reference: Pastor Al Pittman
Calvary Worship Center, Colorado Springs, CO
Sermon

The Grim Reaper Preacher says, "Try reading the Bible from cover to cover - you'll like it."