What We Can Do For One Another

Christians are a part of God’s family (Acts 2:47; Ephesians. 2:19; 3:15). Being a part of the Divine family makes certain responsibilities incumbent upon the members. These responsibilities are manifold and important. Some of the family members will exert every effort to do so, while others will fail to implement the responsibilities. If each of the one another passages in the scriptures were to be practiced by every member of the body of Christ, what a wonderful transformation would be witnessed. What are these relationships that the Lord desires in his family, following is a list of many of them. They will help the family be happy, functional, productive, edifying, bringing glory to our heavenly father that loves us and has given so much for us and to us.

l. Love one another John. (13:34-35; John. 15:12, 17; 1 Thessalonians. 4:9; 1 Pet. 1:22)

2. Prefer one another (Romans 12:10) Prefer comes from a word that means “lead the way, show deference.” One translation renders the passage “outdo one another in showing honor.” Another says “honor one another above yourselves.”

3. Avoid judging one another (Romans 14:13). The context is clearly referring to matters of judgment. It is dealing with the eating of meat, which in and of its self is neither right nor wrong. Christians should avoid passing judgment on others when it involves matters of judgment. When judgment is passed that does not involve judgment there must be righteous judgment (John 7:24).

4. Receive one another (Romans 15:7). The word receive means to “take to one’s self.” One translation uses the idea of “accept one another.

5. Admonish one another (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16). Admonish denotes “to put in mind, to caution or reprove gently, admonish or warn.”

6. Greet one another (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Peter 5:14). The word salute in Romans 16 denotes “to enfold in the arms, to welcome.”

7. Out of Love serve one another (Galatians 5:13). Also note Mark 10:43-45. The word rendered “serve” denotes “To be a slave, be in bondage.” This involves voluntarily committing oneself to do what is in the best interest of others and to minister to them in whatever way can help them in the time of difficulty.

8. Forbearing one another (Ephesians 4:2). Forbear means “To hold oneself up against, to put up with.” Another translation says “showing tolerance for one another in love.”

9. Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). The word forgive suggests to “to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one) to do a favor to, gratify.” The idea is to do something pleasant or agreeable, to do a favor, to gratify by extending pardon or forgiveness to another.

10. Show kindness to one another (Ephesians 4:32). The word kind is defined as “employed, useful, better, easy, good (ness), gracious, kind.” One translation says use, helpful and kind.”

11. Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Comfort “to call near, invite, invoke (by imploration, exhortation, or consolation): beseech, call for, comfort, desire, intreat, pray.” One translation has “encourage” one another.

12. Edify one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The word is defined as “to be a house builder, construct or confirm.” Another translation says “build each other up.”

13. Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13). Exhort comes from the same word as comfort in 1 Thessalonians 4:18. In this passage it relates to avoiding being hardened by sin.

14. Provoke one another (Hebrews 10:24). Provoke does not denote “anger”, rather it suggests “an inciting, incitement.” Here it relates to love and good works. Another translation says “stir up love and good works. These are the one another passages in the bible. What kind of difference do you think there would be if every Christian implemented these in their lives? What kind of homes would we have if these were apart of each member?

Bill Cantrell