HEART WORK EVIDENCE #4—DESIRE FOR THE EDIFICATION OF OTHERS

The fourth evidence of heart work concerns the desire believers have for the edification of other believers. Heart work is going on wherever a believer has a deeply felt sense of ambition for the things of God—not only for themselves, but for others also. This was certainly true in Paul’s case. He wrote in verses 10-13, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.” Paul wanted to be bear fruit himself and also see fruit produced among the saints in Rome.

Heart work is evident wherever a believer desires, prays for and personally contributes to the edification of his or her fellow believers (1 Cor. 14:26b; Eph. 4:29; 1 Thess. 5:13; Heb. 10:25). How seriously do you take the admonition, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another, (Rom. 14:19)?” How about the admonition that says, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 14:19; Phil. 2:4, 5).

How much is your heart really burdened for the spiritual up-building and fruitfulness of other Christians? How often and how fervently do you pray specifically that they will “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?” (See, Eph. 6:18, 19; 1 Pet. 3:18). How much heart work, in this area, is taking place in your life and being reflected in your speech and actions?