“One-anothering” is a topic near and dear to my heart. Our ministry culture is rooted in being about one-anothering ministry. Whether in a small gathering of the fellowship, a class, a workshop, or a full-on celebration, at the heart of it all, you will find one-anothering at the center.
So let’s take a few moments and dig into the rich treasure trove of the “one anothers” in the New Testament.
Did you know there are over 50 “one another” commands sprinkled throughout the New Testament? From the gospels to the epistles, the writers consistently emphasize the importance of how we, as believers, treat one another. It’s like a divine drumbeat, a sacred refrain that echoes through the pages of Scripture.
As we dive into the pages of God’s Word, we find the one-anothers woven throughout like a golden thread. In John 13:34-35, Jesus Himself sets the tone: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” This is the foundation, the bedrock upon which all the other one-anothers are built.
The apostle Paul picks up this theme in his letters to the early church. In Romans 12:10, he urges believers to “be devoted to one another in love” and to “honor one another above yourselves.” In Galatians 5:13, he reminds us that we are called to serve one another humbly in love. And in Ephesians 4:2, he exhorts us to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
But the one-anothers aren’t just about warm, fuzzy feelings. They also call us to the hard work of forgiveness and reconciliation. In Colossians 3:13, Paul writes, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” And in Ephesians 4:32, he says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
The one-anothers also remind us of our interdependence as members of Christ’s body. In 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, Paul writes, “There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” And in Galatians 6:2, he urges us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ,” pointing back to John 13:34-35.
But perhaps one of the most powerful one-another passages is found in Philippians 2:3-4, where Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” This is a radical call to selflessness, to considering others’ needs as more important than our own.
As we reflect on these and the many other one-another passages in the New Testament, we realize that they are not just nice suggestions or optional extras. They are commands, imperatives that flow from the very heart of God. They are a reflection of the self-giving love that has existed for all eternity within the Trinity, and that was demonstrated most fully in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
But if we’re honest, the one-anothers often stand in stark contrast to the values of our culture, and even to the practice of many churches. We live in a world that celebrates individualism, that tells us to look out for number one, that sees relationships as disposable when they no longer serve our needs. But the one-anothers call us to a different way, a narrow path that leads to true life and joy.
As we seek to live out the one-anothers, we must remember that we cannot do it in our own strength. We need the power of the Holy Spirit, who alone can transform our selfish hearts and enable us to love as Christ loved. We need to marinate in the truth of God’s Word, allowing it to renew our minds and shape our priorities. And we need the encouragement and accountability of fellow believers, who can spur us on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
So let us not grow weary in doing good, in living out the one-anothers day by day. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2). And let us trust that as we seek to love one another as he has loved us, we will not only bring glory to God but also experience the fullness of life that he intends for us.
As we reflect on the beautiful tapestry of the one-anothers in the New Testament, may we be filled with a fresh sense of awe and wonder at the incredible love of God. May we be challenged to love more deeply, forgive more freely, and serve more sacrificially. And may we be inspired to be a community that reflects the heart of Christ to a watching world.
I pray that as we seek to live out the one-anothers, we would experience the joy and freedom that comes from laying down our lives for one another. May we find grace in the messy, beautiful work of building authentic, Christ-centered relationships. And may we trust that, as we seek to love as Christ loved, He will transform us from the inside out and use us to advance His kingdom on earth.
So let us step out with renewed passion and commitment to the one-anothers, knowing that as we do, we are joining in the very dance of the Trinity and experiencing a foretaste of the perfect love that awaits us in eternity. May the Lord bless us and keep us as we seek to love one another as He has loved us. Amen.
For as Jesus himself said in John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” May this be the heartbeat of our lives and the witness of the church to a watching world.
Soli deo Gloria
Words Matter: Refining the Conversation 