In the story of “Winnie the Pooh,” Pooh’s friend Christopher Robin tells him, “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” Good words for the little bear and good words for each of us to hear about ourselves.
In his letter to the Romans Paul gives some encouragement to this group of new believers, people he has never met. Of what is Paul convinced? What can these people do?
We can imagine that the new Christians in Rome may have felt a bit uneasy with this new religion they were dealing with. They really had no great leaders yet to put them on the right path and help them through the challenges they were facing.
But Paul had some faith in these believers. He was convinced in his heart that these people were good people. They had within themselves the right spirit, the right attitude, sufficient knowledge and ability to help each other along the way. This young church did not need Paul; they had one another.
Now the question is for us. Do we have what it takes to be good people? Are we of sufficient character and wisdom to be able to correct those who have gone astray from the holy path of faith? Do we have the competence to teach one another and the new believer in what it takes to be a Christian?
I believe the answer is, yes. If we can rely on the spirit and grace of Christ, if we can center our lives on Jesus, we will have what it takes to move forward in our Christian living and to help others in this path of faith. When it comes to being a good Christian it may be that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.
DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to help others strengthen their faith?
