Most of the 59 New Testament "one-anothering" verses are commands to DO something; LOVE one another, ENCOURAGE one another, ACCEPT one another etc. But there are 5 or 6 verses that are explicitly "do NOT" verses.

These are so important (do NOT judge one another, do NOT lie to one another, do NOT slander one another) because they are church KILLERS and actually destroys our witness to a lost and watching world. When we practice these "do NOT" verses we actually align ourselves closer to Satan - the accuser - than we do with Christ, our Saviour.

"Pray for one another". Seems obvious, right? But we seem hampered by misconceptions and baggage and hang-ups. Every believer can do this! YOU can do this. Discover some practical and creative ways to include praying for each other as a regular and integral part of our community life.

As part of our "One Another" series, Steve Briggs unpacks through personal stories and even a "Joey and Ross" illustration, how our call as Christians is a lot more than just to "tolerate" other people. And guess what... you don't have to wait until you FEEL like accepting someone you don't like or agree with... you can just CHOOSE to do it because Christ commands it.

The second most repeated "One Another" verse is to "Greet each other with a holy kiss" (??)

Now before you are grateful for Covid masks because "you ain't kissin' nobody, no-how at church", let's look at how this one another applies to us in 2020 and maybe even gives us insight into our cultural epidemic of disconnectedness.

(oh... and Seinfeld too)

Encouragement: The origins of the word can be translated as "to put courage into the heart". Doesn't that just sum it up? And while there are those with the GIFT of encouragement, it is something we ALL can do for one another.

The weight of unforgiveness is a heavy burden to bear. You may not even realize you've been carrying it for as long as you have. As Glenn quotes "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the one who hurt you to die".

Jesus shows us a better way

In our "One anothering" series we see Jesus himself set the example, serving his disciples in a humbling and even menial way. Than lays it out clearly by saying "I'm setting the example for you. I want you to serve others the way I've modeled it for you here". And that all sounds well and good but the real test of a servant is when someone actually treats you like one.

Truly "One-anothering" in love means a lot more than "being nice" or keeping the peace at all costs. Real love has to speak truth sometimes. Real love needs to instruct or teach or admonish. It isn't easy, but if it's done in the right spirit, with the right motive, using the right method, you will truly be "one-anothering" each other.

The first (and granddaddy) of all the "one-anothers".

LOVE One Another.

Easy in theory. A little harder in the concrete.

People are made for relationships.

It’s the byproduct of being created in the image of a Triune God who is in relationship.

59 times in the New Testament we are given specific, applicable instruction on how to “one-another” each other… “Love one another… serve one another… honor one another…”

When you become a follower of Jesus, God puts you as one of his children in a relationship with other “brothers and sisters”.

In a world of broken relationship – marriages, families, co-workers, society – the Bible has much to say about how to build God-honouring relationships with one another.

In fact Jesus sums up the teaching of the Bible as this; to fully love God and love others. (Matt. 22:36-40)

Your relationship with God and with others is intricately linked. When you practice the “one-another” commands you are in fact also growing in your love for God.

The world is watching to see if followers of Jesus do indeed live differently and love differently. They’re longing for authentic community and our best testimony might very well be how we “ONE-ANOTHER”