Prepare for Worship | Two Are Better Than One
Last Sunday, Pastor Jason preached from James 5:13-20 and called us to find healing through biblical confession.
Read: Colossians 3:12-17
This Sunday, Ryan Heard will preach from Colossians 3:16 and show us that biblical love includes admonishing one another. In preparation for our gathering, let this devotional from Jerry Bridges spur you on to mutual admonishment with others in our ongoing battle with sin. We are better and stronger together!
Reflect: “Two Are Better Than One”
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (PROVERBS 27:17) Because mortifying sins is difficult, we need the help of one or two friends to engage in the struggle with us. These friends should be believers who share our commitment to pursuing holiness and who are also willing to be mutually open with us about their own struggles. This principle is well expressed in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!”
In the battle of putting sin to death, we need the mutual support of one another. In the New Testament we’re taught to admonish one another (Colossians 3:16), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and pray for one another (James 5:16).
Although this principle applies to every aspect of the Christian life, it’s particularly helpful in the pursuit of holiness. We need at least one other person of like heart to pray with us, encourage us, and if necessary, admonish us. This person must be someone who’s also personally involved in the struggle to mortify sin, so that he or she can enter into our struggles and not be scandalized by the nature of our deepest sins. It’s said that the Puritans used to ask God for one “bosom friend” with whom they could share absolutely everything. This is the type of friend we should also pray for and seek out to help us in our struggle to mortify sin in our lives. Remember, however, it’s a mutual effort. Each one should be committed to both helping and receiving help.
“Two Are Better Than One,” Week 40 / Friday Devotional, in Holiness Day by Day, by Jerry Bridges.
Sing: Song List for Sunday
1. “Rejoice,” by Keith & Kristyn Getty
2. “Tell the Story (Psalm 8),” by Shane & Shane
3. “On That Day,” by CityAlight
4. “Speak, O Lord,” by Keith & Kristyn Getty
5. “How Rich a Treasure,” by Matt Boswell