Concern for the person is one of the most profound differences in secular and Christian thinking. As we argued in Part 1, the secular mind considers humans as machines and parts of the “The Machine”, where we are either resources, cogs, or consumers, depending on our interface with it.
Christians, on the other hand, know themselves as created in the image of God, as children of God, as ambassadors of God, and as benefactors of God’s love. Regrettably, we find it easier to think of ourselves in this light than to reflect on our brothers and sisters in Christ in the same way. This is not a judgment as much as a statement of fact; it is just the way we are wired and have been trained by the world.
Thinking of others as we think of ourselves requires transformation by the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). It also requires attention to relationship, fellowship, and community. With that in mind (no pun intended), let’s consider what the Bible has to say about our concern for one another. The blessed irony in doing so is the more profound understanding of how God thinks of us, as one of His.
The One Another Fellowship
We first introduced “The One Another Fellowship” in The Map Maker as a blessing of God for the storms and chaos He creates and allows for our transformation. The excerpts here are therefore timely reminders of the importance He has made of community life in His kingdom.
God never intends for us to do things in isolation. It is another of God’s ways that are directly opposed to the ways of man. In every worldly system (e.g., sports, business, government), the individual is recognized above the team. The man that is the captain of his own ship is praised and emulated. The “star” gets the big bucks.
This is not the way of God! From the Old Testament (where God pleaded with the people not to desire a king) to the New Testament (where the Body of Christ becomes the bride), the people of God are those that live in community, for the sake of building the community of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16).
We will best understand God’s intention and ways for community by searching out the “one another” verses. As we review these, let the truth convict and encourage you in the potential for fellowship with those He has providentially brought into your spheres of influence.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1John 1:7
Fellowship with one another is evidence of our walk with Christ; and important enough to include with the promise of our being cleansed from all sin.
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another. Mark 9:50
“Have peace with one another” is not an option; it is a command of our King. Note His use of the word “with”. Our peace is to be found with one another, not in avoiding one another.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12
Another command: To love one another… as He loved us. Lest we forget, that love was sacrificial, even unto death on a cross. It is a condition of our being His disciples.
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:4-5
Not only are we members of Christ’s body, we are members of one another. There is to be a closeness that exceeds the powers of observation – something beyond the natural.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another… Romans 12:10
Giving preference means letting the other choose, not choosing for them. This type of love requires humility and trust in our Father. One another fellowship encourages our spiritual maturity.
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7
One another fellowship empowers the renewal of our minds (i.e., transformation) through the appropriation of the mind of Christ. We become unified in thought and worship. Christ received us with sacrificial love. As the Father sent Him, so He sends us (John 20:21). It is for God’s glory that we receive one another (i.e., to grant another access to one’s heart).
Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 1Corinthians 6:7-8
Our ill-treatment of one another in the public square brings shame to Jesus Christ, and the rest of His Body. Our acceptance of being wronged protects Him and His Body.
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1Corinthians 12:26
Our suffering and honor with one another are not optional, they are realities of life in God’s kingdom. The only way to avoid this reality is to disconnect from the Body. That is what we are doing when we live with indifference to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:13, 26
Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9
One of the saddest things to see are fellowships in close geographic proximity living apart from one another. Rather than serve each other, they glory in themselves. Satan uses this to set in motion a cycle of vain glory pursuit, envy, and one-upmanship.
We are called to a much higher witness of God’s love for one another; as we see in the following verses.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Therefore, putting away lying, ” Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:1-3,25,32
Once again, we see that we are not just members of Christ, but members of one another. What we do to each other, we do to ourselves. Furthermore, our worth as followers of Jesus Christ is measured by our bearing with one another in love.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
The issue is not how we assemble – from small groups to large denominations – but the heart we have for each other as we assemble. Is our desire for ourselves and our group, or for something greater? To fight the temptations of sectarianism, we must be intentional about our assembling together in love for the whole Body of Christ.
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 1Peter 3:8-9
Our love for one another is no less than our calling, and the source of our inheritance in Christ. This alone should be enough motivation; but God, knowing how difficult such fellowship would be for us, promised even more.
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 1John 4:12
God has established the conditions and the promises of His kingdom. His abiding in us, and the perfection of His love in us, are conditional on our love for one another.
Dear God, have mercy on us! Transform us into the people (plural) that will follow your plan, and follow it your way. We know there is no other. We lay down our lives, that we would find the life of love – whatever the cost. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I confess that this is the most challenging facet of my walk with the Lord. My heart is so far from the revelation of these verses. The church in America is so divided. How far have we drifted from God’s plan? How did we get here? More importantly, how do we find God’s perfect will in our love for one another?
God continues to chasten, rebuke, and encourage me in my response to “The One Another Fellowship.” Just this past month, He shared the following:
From 1John 4:16: Love is not a this-or-that thing to be analyzed and explained with human language. It would do us good to stop trying to define love, to even understand love, and just experience it; to stop trying to explain love, and just demonstrate it as best we can.
From John 15:10-12: If we keep His commandments, we will abide in His love… because His commandment is to love. We abide in His love by loving one another. If we do not love – brethren, neighbor, and enemy – how are we to abide in His love?
God bless you will conviction and courage for the joy and life to be found in the community of believers.
Have a strong year in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen