Monday, October 17, 2011

Spiritual viscosity

1 Thess. 3

In the study of fluid mechanics, viscosity is the property of the fluid which accounts for the transmission of the momentum of a small packet of fluid to it's adjacent neighbors. That is, viscosity quantifies the tendency of one packet of fluid to influence the speed of it's neighboring packets of fluid. For example, if a fluid has a very high viscosity, then the whole mass of fluid will tend to flow all together (like honey). However, if the viscosity is low, then some fluid may move quickly, while adjacent fluid moves slowly.

I think the communication to our Brothers and Sisters in Christ of our spiritual faithfulness to the Lord (i.e., "accountability") is spiritual viscosity:

So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.  It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 3:7, 8 NLT)

It is essential that we communicate our faithfulness, as well as our struggles, to our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  It is through this accountability that we can take care of each other and ensure that we all stay moving forward together.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the encouragement of my Brothers who are pursuing you faithfully.  Lord, please help me be an encouragement to my Brothers and Sisters.  Please help me walk with you and keep in step with you, and please help that rub off on the Brothers and Sisters that I am running this race with.  I love you, Lord, and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

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