Romans 1:12
that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Spiritual believers spending time together sharing their faith in the Lord is a wonderfully encouraging experience. I love those times and need them daily. Paul was eager to spend this kind of time with the Romans.
Fleshly believers spending time together is no different than unbelievers spending time together. They can all enjoy themselves but there is no spiritual value.
Spiritual believers spending time with fleshly believers can have various results. The fleshly believer may become spiritual, may begin to feel guilty, may not realize there is a difference, or may become defensive. The spiritual believer may become fleshly, may begin to pray, may begin to teach and encourage, or may begin to rebuke.
Would that we always be spiritual and encouraging to one another every day. “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Heb. 3:13, NIV)
