How might we help each other to grow in God?
I’m glad you asked!
One way is to practice the ‘One Another Scriptures’. There are loads of them scattered throughout the New Testament. They all are simple, easy to do and yet life-transforming. Here are a few to kick us off – all from the book of Romans.
· Love one another warmly as Christians and be eager to show respect for one another (12: 10).
· Aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another (14:19).
· Accept one another (15:7).
If we bind these together, we create a rich tapestry of strength, peace, acceptance and respect, all stitched together with love. Imagine your organisation soaked in those values!
Someone might ask: how might I show love or how might I bring peace? A few more ‘One Another’ Scriptures may help:
· Agree with one another (2 Co 13: 11).
· Show your love by being tolerant with one another (Eph 4: 2).
· Be kind and tender-hearted to one another and forgive one another (Eph 4: 32).
Too hard? Is hidden treasure worth the sweat put in to find it? These verses are like precious jewels. A little work to discover them and use them can yield mighty rewards.
For example, how can we be tolerant with each other? Maybe by looking for the best in those around us, rather than focusing on the differences. Perhaps one way of showing love is to err towards kindness, being eager to forgive. How about pursuing peace by seeking common ground before jumping too quickly into disagreement?
The next two might seem contradictory at first.
· Submit yourselves to one another (Eph 5:21).
· Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom (Col 3:16).
How can I instruct or teach someone and yet submit myself to them at the same time - surely a teacher or instructor is a person in authority?
If we have an opportunity to teach someone, let’s do it with the wisdom only God can give. How do we find that wisdom? We humble ourselves and ask God for it. We rely on him to do the job through us. We, therefore, teach with humility too - we submit our gifts rather than force them.
And lastly…
· Above everything, love one another earnestly because love covers over many sins (1 Pet 4: 8).
The most popular ‘one another’ statement in the Bible is by far the command to love one another (it occurs over 15 times). All the others seem to point to it and underline it with great passion. Love each other earnestly.
The best is yet to come. God bless – Terry ----------------------------------- Would you like to receive a new message every week? Please fill in your email address below.