Dear Church Family,
In writing about the “one another” verses in the New Testament, I have written much about what I think comprise the three most important of those commands. “Love one another” remains securely in the top spot as Jesus Himself said this forms the greatest commandment after loving God with all we have. It is also the most stated of the passages. Scholar D. A. Carson observes, “I suspect that one of the reasons why there are so many exhortations in the New Testament for Christians to love other Christians is because this is not an easy thing to do.” They may not be easy, but it is our privilege and call as the body of Christ to love one another.
The next two I rank high and have written about may be seen as subjective choices, but I think I could make a solid argument for saying the commands to build one another up and to pray for one another should be in close competition for the second and third slots. We live in a fallen world. We continue to battle temptation and sin. We yearn to see the Kingdom of God come in its glorious fullness. Each of God’s people needs edification and prayer. God has designed His church to provide these blessings to other parts of the body.
The remaining twenty “one another” passages can be broadly divided into two categories. One can be called commands of service and the other can be seen as relational. I will list them below with the reminder that these remain commands and not mere suggestions.
Commands of Service:
Serve one another – Galatians 5:13; Receive one another – Romans 15:7; Care for one another - 1 Corinthians 12:25; Comfort one another – 1 Thessalonians 4:18.
Commands of Relationship:
Be at peace with one another – Mark 9:50; Be of the same mind toward one another – Romans 12:16; Give preference to one another – Romans 12:10; Greet one another – Romans 16:16; Esteem one another as better than yourself – Philippians 2:3; Be devoted to one another – Romans 12:10; Admonish one another – Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16; Show tolerance toward one another – Romans 15:1-5; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13; Be kind and forgiving to one another – Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Submit to one another – Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5; Encourage one another – 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; Be compassionate with one another – 1 Peter 3:8; Confess your faults to one another – James 5:16; Accept one another – Romans 14:1; 15:7; Be truthful with one another – Colossians 3:9; Do not take one another to court – 1 Corinthians 6:1-7.
A quick glance shows these important commands focus on the relational side of life. That takes work bathed in prayer and the Word of God. This makes us the essence of what a pastor called “Life Together” in a classic book. God intended our life together as brothers and sisters in Christ to reflect the union we have with our Savior and Lord.
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin