Some people are believers in Jesus Christ but they desire to keep to themselves. They see no need to be part of a “church”. Maybe they like to pray and worship God in “Nature”, in the trees, plants, animals and rocks away from everyone else. Or maybe they feel that if they have their Bible and time with God in prayer, that is all they need. Maybe they aren’t very sociable or maybe they have trouble relating with other people. Or maybe they let some conflict or disagreement keep themselves isolated. Those who choose to be by themselves may be selfish and only thinking of themselves; other believers need help on their Christian walk. God’s design is that there be a community of believers that work together and help one another in their Christian walk. Many times in the New Testament the writers use the expression “one another”. This is an expression that describes how we should function as a community of believers. Let us look at some of the scriptures that use this expression.
The first and most important way that you relate to “one another” is in love. Jesus taught His disciples in John 13:34-35 “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.” Love basically means that you seek the good of the one loved; love is not selfish. You owe love to one another. Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Loving one another is how you fulfill the law. Because of your love, you serve one another. Galatians 5:13-15 “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. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” Of course, biting and devouring one another is not love.
The next way that you relate to “one another” is to encourage and admonish one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 “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.” The assemblies of the church are a great opportunity to encourage one another. Do not forsake the assemblies. The assemblies should not be the only time you encourage one another. Ephesians 5:19-21 “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” Romans 15:14 “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” Hebrews 3:12-13 “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Since you love your fellow Christians, you need to exhort them so that they stay faithful and grow spiritually.
Another way that you relate to “one another” is that you seek to be one. Romans 15:5-6 “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.” 1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” If you insist on your way there will be division; but if you submit to one another, it goes a long way towards being one. 1 Peter 3:8-9 “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.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 “That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
You work for the eternal salvation of one another. It begins by praying for one another. James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” If you see someone in a trespass, restore him gently. Galatians 6:1-2 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” We all have burdens – some greater than others. Help one another with life’s burdens. Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” You certainly would not want to do anything that might cause your brother to fall.
My encouragement to you is that you be aware of your “one another” responsibility in your Christian community. Love and serve one another.