The following is a list of commands known as the “One Anothers” in Scripture:
Love one another - John 13:34-35, John 15:12
Wash one another’s feet - John 13:14
Be devoted to one another - Romans 12:10
Live in harmony with one another - Romans 12:16
Accept one another as Christ accepted you - Romans 15:7
Instruct one another - Romans 15:14
Greet one another - Romans 16:16
Serve one another - Galatians 5:13
Carry one another’s burdens - Galatians 6:2
Bear with one another - Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:13
Be kind to one another - Ephesians 4:32
Forgive one another - Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13
Submit to one another - Ephesians 5:21
Encourage one another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24-25
Build up one another - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Spur one another on toward love and good deeds - Hebrews 10:24-25
Confess your sins to one another – James 5:16
Pray for one another - James 5:16
Offer hospitality to one another – 1 Peter 4:9
Going to church has never been easier than right now. We can literally stay on the couch in our pajamas. BEING THE CHURCH has perhaps never been harder. Loving, serving, & meeting one another’s needs currently require new levels of commitment, creativity and courage! Just because we can’t physically meet together for “church” at this time, doesn’t mean we stop being the church.
Are you perplexed as to how to BE THE CHURCH right now? Simply meditate on the above list and pray and ask God to show you how to fulfill it. If every member of our body commits to this list right now, we will emerge a stronger church on the other side of this crisis!
Also ask yourself, “What do I wish others would do for me right now?” When you know the answer, express your need(s) to others within the body of Christ and then do that exact thing for someone else! The awesome thing about love is that it is never in vain, and is usually cyclical. Love is an investment. An investment in the church has eternal rewards!
In the words of the Keith & Kristyn Getty song 'O Church Arise':
O church, arise and put your armor on; Hear the call of Christ our captain; For now the weak can say that they are strong In the strength that God has given. With shield of faith and belt of truth We'll stand against the devil's lies; An army bold whose battle cry is "Love!" Reaching out to those in darkness.
So Spirit, come, put strength in ev'ry stride,
Give grace for ev'ry hurdle,
That we may run with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful.
As saints of old still line the way,
Retelling triumphs of His grace,
We hear their calls and hunger for the day
When, with Christ, we stand in glory.
Now is not the time to take a break. It’s time to BE THE CHURCH!
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed”
- Proverbs 11:25
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days”
- Ecclesiastes 11:1
Blog by Kristi Walker of CrossWay International Baptist Church. Published on 16. April 2020 from Berlin, Germany. Photo by John Cavazza on Unsplash.