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God created us to be in relationship with Himself and with others. In eternity there will only be 2 things apart from God. . .God's Word and God's children. The reality
of this should challenge us to seek to have more God-honoring relationships now. There are over 50 references in the New Testament about how we are to relate to "one
another." Most of these passages address our behavior, not just our attitudes.
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Love One Another
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"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another." John 13:34-35
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
You, my brothers, were called to
be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24
Keep on loving each other as brothers. Hebrews 13:1
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers,
love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate
and humble. 1 Peter 3:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
This is the message you heard from the
beginning: We should love one another. I John 3:11
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he
commanded us. I John 3:23
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. I John 4:7
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. I John 4:11
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love
is made complete in us. I John 4:12
And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 2
John 1:5
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Be of One Mind with One Another
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Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Romans 12:16)
I appeal to you,
brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind
and thought. (1 Corinthians 1:10 )
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (1 Thessalonians 5:13)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)
The word "harmony" in 1
Peter 3:8 means literally to be "of one mind" or to be "likeminded." From the Bible we learn how God thinks. Then, in faith we apply His Word as the Spirit
shows us. Being of the same mind with one another is embracing God's viewpoint or attitudes towards life and one another. When we have the mind of Christ. . .we think with
His values. . .we possess His vision. . .and we allow Him to change our attitudes which in turn will change our actions toward one another. What can you do today to gain more
of the mind of Christ?
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Bearing with One Another
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So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. (1 Corinthians 11:33)
. . .so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts
should have equal concern for each other. (1 Corinthians 12:25)
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;
rather, serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)
In the last
verse, "bearing with" one another is literally "to hold up." Additionally, it conveys the ideas of "to endure, to bear with, put up with," either
in relationships or circumstances. In the context of Ephesians 4:2, the word points us to four qualities that are needed to "bear with" one another: humility,
gentleness, patience, and love. Our natural tendency is to be provoked by others especially when they do not share our ideas or convictions. When we cling to our desires
rather than the well being of others, unity is threatened and we are in danger of hurting others.
Instead of getting provoked, Paul instructs us to "Be kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) Being kind and compassionate means doing whatever is beneficial
and benevolent to others. Forgiving one another is extending grace, treating others as Christ treats us.
So. . .who is grating on you right now? How can you extend
Christ's love to that person by "bearing with" him and placing his interests ahead your own?
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Encourage One Another
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Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1
Thessalonians 5:11)
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
When Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonian church they were facing
severe trials and persecutions (1 Thessalonians 1:6 and 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4). And yet Paul told them that they not only had the ability, but also the responsibility to
encourage one another and to show their support for each other.
Every Christian is to be involved in the process of building up other Christians. The word
"encourage" in the above verses is the Greek word "parakaleo" which translates as "comfort" or "encourage." The word can also mean
"to summon, or to call to one's side to give aid" as one who comes alongside another to give aid, strength, comfort, and courage.
Who do you know needs
encouragement today? Look around. Most likely many of the Christians around you are hurting and need your encouragement to bring courage to their lives.
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Come Together With One Another
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Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another (NIV) Hebrews 10:25a
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that
you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. (Romans 15:14)
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, (Ephesians 5:19)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,
and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit
of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25a)
Hebrews 10:24 says: "and let us consider how to
stimulate one another to love and good deeds." The Greek text literally translates: "let us consider one another to stimulate (incite, promote) to love and good
works." The word "consider" is the Greek word "katanoeo" which means "to consider attentively, to perceive, to observe." The author of
Hebrews is calling us to take notice or pay attention to people so that we might better understand each other's needs and pain. That way we can minister to those needs
with a listening ear, an open caring heart, an encouraging word, and loving actions. But, to be able to do this we need to come together with one another.
How about
you? Are you coming together with other Christians to stimulate other towards love and good deed?
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Greet One Another
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Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. (NIV) Romans 16:16
All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy
kiss. (1 Corinthians 16:20)
Greet one another with a holy kiss. (2 Corinthians 13:12)
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in
Christ. (1 Peter 5:14)
The command to "greet one another with a holy kiss" is found four times in the New Testament. The Greek word that is translated
"greet" means "to greet or to welcome," but the basic idea seemed to be "to embrace." In the New Testament epistles "a holy kiss"
was a sign of love, affection, and genuine interest in others. "A holy kiss" is different within each culture. Here in the US, it would be a warm hand shake, an arm
around the shoulder, or a hug. But, however we extend "a holy kiss" today, we are encouraged to greet one another warmly and genuinely.
How are you doing with extending "a holy kiss" to other Christians?
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Yet More One Another Commands
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Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)
Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try
to be kind to each other and to everyone else Seek after what is good for one another (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. show
hospitality (1 Peter 4:9)
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be
healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (I John 1:7)
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Negative One Another Commands
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Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way (NIV) Romans 14:13
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:26)
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
(Colossians 3:9)
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law,
you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. (James 4:11)
Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the
door! (James 5:9)
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