Better Together

I went “all-in” for Jesus six weeks before starting my senior year of college. A few months later, I left the campus to complete my final semester of college taking classes in London. My new faith grew only minimally in the ten months between my conversion and graduation. In retrospect, I realize my lack of spiritual growth was the result of going it alone, having a “me and Jesus” mentality.

After finishing college in London, I lived and studied at the English L’Abri, a small Christian community and study center in rural England. My faith rapidly grew deeper and stronger. An Englishman named Jerram Barrs, spent hours with me every day. We did chores together, working in the garden or washing the dishes—always talking, sharing life and faith. He invested himself in me. I saw Jesus in him and met Jesus in a deeper way through him. I made several other friends in this wonderful community of faith and unconditional love. At this outpost of God’s Kingdom, I grew more each day than I had grown in the ten previous months combined. My time spent at L’Abri was life-changing, a “taste-of-heaven” type of experience. My faith became a living faith in the risen and living Lord. 

I returned to the USA in September a different person than the one who had left in January. The difference was the natural result of sharing life and faith with other disciples. I realized life is better when shared with other believers. The Bible teaches this truth over and over, in various ways, from beginning to end. 

¹⁸ Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
Genesis 2:18

⁹ Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

¹¹ Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?
¹² A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9, 11-12

¹⁹ “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. ²⁰ For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:19-20

²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:25

¹⁹ You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. ²⁰ Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
Ephesians 2:19-20

After meeting Jerram fifty years ago, God has continually brought godly people into my life, some for a season and others became life-long friends. Many of those people intentionally invested themselves in me. Each one was a positive influence, an encourager, a teacher, a mentor, and someone who accepted and loved me unconditionally. God loved me through them. Eugene Peterson was right; we cannot be ourselves by ourselves. Disciples grow and flourish in a community of disciples. I could not have written these challenges without all of those people. This is not hyperbole, but truth. In a sense, these twelve challenges are the product of a multi-generational community of disciples.

The Church in Context

Early in Jesus’ three-year public ministry, he called ordinary people to become his disciples. This was a key part of his mission strategy. During those three years, he invested himself in and trained his disciples to continue his mission through the church after he had returned to the Father. Then, just as planned, ten days after his ascension, the church was born on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended and filled each of his one-hundred and twenty followers gathered together that morning. God’s plan required a community of disciples bound together by their love for and allegiance to Jesus. They were the first followers of “the way”, which I am calling the Jesus Way. From the beginning to this present day, the Jesus Way leads to and through that same community, the church. To follow Jesus requires you to be connected to a community of like-minded, Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus. 

The Greek word translated as “church” is ekklesia. It combines ek which means “out” (like exit) and klesia which means “called one.” The word originally referred to citizens who were called to assemble and conduct the business of the state in the ancient Greek democracies. Jesus called multiple disciples out of their normal daily routines to live under his direction and authority. From the beginning, they knew they were called to be both with him (“follow me”) and to represent him before others (“I’ll show you how to fish for people”). The plan required Jesus to prepare his inner circle of twelve disciples to lead the yet-to-be community whose mission would be to continue his ministry following his death, resurrection, and ascension.

Jesus intentionally did not call a single disciple, but multiple disciples. This, too, was part of the plan because people only thrive in a community. We are created in God’s image and God is Trinity: three, but one God. Our Triune God is a community in himself. Consequently, the creation narrative says he created us as male and female, because “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen 2:18). All humans, like the God who created us, are social beings. Disciples need one another, whether we are extroverts or introverts. Jesus knew disciples would fail miserably as isolated individuals. Without a faith community, the gospel would not have survived beyond the first generation of believers. Without that community, the church, there would be no disciples and no church today.

On the Road Again

Jesus’ ministry lasted approximately three years and is often divided into two parts. Part one started with his baptism and ended two-and-one-half-years later at Caesarea Philippi. During those first thirty months or so, he ministered to massive crowds while also calling and training his disciples. Part two began at an unlikely place, Caesarea Philippi. This Gentile enclave, famous for its worship of idols, was the furthest distance from Jerusalem that Jesus visited with his disciples. Luke begins the second part with these words, “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Lu 9:51). In the following six months, Jesus led his disciples on a long walk to Jerusalem, where he was crucified. His primary focus during that journey was to prepare his disciples for his death.

The transition between the first and second parts of Jesus’ ministry was a conversation between Jesus and his followers at Caesarea Philippi (Matt 16:13-28). Jesus asked his disciples, “… who do you say I am?” (v 15). Peter, without hesitation exclaimed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus confirmed the truth of Peter’s words and then added an extraordinary declaration that seemed to come out of the blue, saying, “…you are Peter [which means rock], and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it’ (v.18). This is the first time the church is explicitly mentioned in the Bible. Then Jesus, also for the first time, began to tell his disciples explicitly his mission would climax on a cross, not with a coronation.

  ²¹ From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
Matthew 16:21

These three statements, Peter’s affirmation that Jesus was the Messiah, followed by Jesus’ promise to build something he called the church, and then his first of several explicit declarations that the Messiah’s mission required him to die on a cross. Part one climaxed with Peter’s confession. The disciples were now convinced he was the promised Messiah and Son of God. The spotlight during the first part of Jesus’ ministry focused on Jesus’ teaching, miracles, and identity. After Peter’s bold declaration it shifted and focused on the cross. Part two of the story begins, as Jesus and his entourage began their long walk from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem. The Jesus Way was becoming more difficult.

The order is important. Peter’s affirmation that Jesus was the Son of God came first. It established Jesus’ identity as the Promised Messiah and Son of God. Secondly, Jesus began to speak plainly about his imminent crucifixion, which was the climax and completion of the Messiah’s ministry. This was incomprehensible to the disciples. They expected his mission to climax with a coronation, not a crucifixion. But the cross was required before people could become righteous and holy in God’s eyes. Then and only then (after the cross), the Spirit would form the now cleansed and forgiven followers of Jesus into the church. The church, a completely new, Spirit-filled community, would be tasked with continuing the ministry of Jesus. 

Three Basic Truths About the Church

Before we can appreciate the nature and role of the church, we must review Jesus’ response to Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God. First, notice Jesus said he would build the church. Jesus is both the architect and builder of the church. Jesus created and birthed the church, which means the church’s DNA comes from Jesus. Consequently, the church is not a religious club, a building, something dreamed up by the disciples, or an accident. No, the church is a God-thing, consisting of people—cleansed, forgiven, and Spirit-filled who choose to live under Jesus’ authority. 

Secondly, notice the pronoun Jesus used in his promise: “…I will build my church.” “My” is a possessive pronoun, meaning Jesus claims ownership of the church. The church does not belong to you, the members, or the leaders. Nor does it belong to a denomination; it belongs solely to Jesus. Technically, the church is not “my” church or “your” church or “their” church or even “our” church. If you fail to understand this and think of it as “my” (possessive) church instead of Jesus’ church, the church is no longer a God-thing. If you ignore that truth, you will likely conclude the church exists to fulfill your personal expectations. Or you may assume the church exists to  meet your personal needs. The church is not yours and is not about you. You are part of the church, but the church belongs to Jesus and is about Jesus and exists to further Jesus’ mission.

Becoming part of the church is similar to enlisting in the military. You know it’s not about you before you enlist. The military’s mission is to protect our nation, not fulfill your expectations. Personal sacrifice will be required. Your comfort, opinions, and wishes are irrelevant. Jesus is your commander in chief. You become part of something that is much bigger than yourself and you become committed to do everything in your power to accomplish the mission Jesus gave the church.

Thirdly, Jesus promised to build his church on “this rock.” Catholics interpret the rock to be Peter himself (Peter means rock) while Protestants believe the rock to be Peter’s bold statement that Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God. To this day, most churches ask perspective members to make a public declaration of faith much like Peter’s—Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God—when they become members of the church. The church is the community that believes Jesus is the crucified and risen Messiah, Savior, Lord, and the victorious Son of God. Her (the church’s) mission is to continue Jesus’ mission.

The Church Matters

Reflecting on various terms the NT uses to describe the church may be helpful, including:

• The body of Christ

• Temple of the Holy Spirit

• The new Jerusalem

• The new Israel

• Pillar and foundation of the truth

• The household of God

• The bride of Christ

• God’s holy people

• Members of God’s family

• This dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Not only does Jesus claim the church as his own possession, but Colossians 1:18 states Jesus is the “head of the church” (Col 1:18). Paul also wrote that “Christ and the church are one” (Eph 5:32). Ephesians declares that Jesus “gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean…. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish” (5:25-27). The church is near and dear to Jesus’ heart. Like Jesus, we need to learn to cherish the church as the body and bride of Christ, God’s holy people, and the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Consider the significance of the church being the “body of Christ.” The implications of this truth are astonishing. Jesus ascended to the right hand of God in heaven meaning he no longer physically resides on earth. But if the church is his body, corporately we become the physical presence of Christ in the world. This is amplified by the fact the church is also the “Temple of the Holy Spirit.” The church is the community in which disciples grow and flourish. But the church is not just for disciples. As a visible expression of the Kingdom of God the church must continue the ministry of Jesus to the world around us—being and bringing Christ to the lost, the needy, the broken, and the outcast. Yet Christ’s Church, which often appears weak, frail, and fractured will ultimately prevail. He declared “all the powers of evil will not conquer it” (Matt 16:18).

Like Jesus, the church also embodies a mystery. Jesus was both fully divine and fully human. The church is a divine institution, however, unlike Jesus, the human part of the church is not sinless. The church consists of imperfect human beings—sinners like you and me. It seems paradoxical. How can it be both the body of Christ and a community of sinners? For forty-five years I served the church as a pastor. I am well acquainted with the human frailties and failures that are woven into the fabric of every congregation. I’m not simply speaking about the failure of  others. Pastor means “shepherd” and this shepherd (me) has wounded sheep (people) in the flock God entrusted to my care. 

There’s probably not a single person who has been part of a church who has not been disappointed or wounded by something that happened in that community of disciples. The human part of church often fosters disillusionment. How can such an imperfect community of people also be the body of Christ, his official agent representing him on earth? Even more surprisingly, the church is also God’s primary means of revealing his love, kindness, grace, and truth to the world. We are the “pillar and foundation of the truth” and a colony of the Kingdom of Heaven while simultaneously being a part of this fallen world. The disillusionment comes because we are saints in God’s eyes but see each other as sinners.

Even the original community of those who followed Jesus did not live up to that high calling. They argued about who was the greatest and sought position and power (Mark 10:35-45). Judas betrayed Jesus and Peter denied him. Following Pentecost and the birth of the church, we read about the deceit and hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1f). A short time later, Greek-speaking members complained about the discrimination they faced as a minority in the Hebraic oriented church of Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-7).

Yes, there has been conflict and hypocrisy since the beginning of the church. This is a sad but undeniable part the story. But the other part of the story is glorious. 

² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47 ⁴

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4:32-35  

A New Commandment

A week after Jesus and his disciples arrived in Jerusalem and just hours before his trial and crucifixion, Jesus, fully aware his crucifixion was imminent, shared his heart with his disciples, saying: “Love each other.” He was hours away from being nailed to a cross and he was more concerned about his disciples than himself. Jesus was about to demonstrate how much he loved them by taking the consequences of their (and our) sins upon himself. But Jesus was also raising the bar for what he expected from all those who would follow him (including us) after he returned to heaven. His vision for the church was stunning.

³⁴ “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. ³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:34-35  

The community he would build (the church) would be characterized by the same type of self-giving, sacrificial love he modeled for them. “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another.” This may be even more difficult than his teaching to, “love your neighbor as yourself.” He set the bar at world record height and then told his followers to jump over it. Jesus did so because he knew that believers (we) are his body. We represent him. And the primary way people discover his love is by seeing his believers loving one another sacrificially.

The Litmus Test

This gets tricky. So to stay with me. Peter asserted that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” That truth is the rock-solid foundation that Jesus builds his church upon. Peter had spent two and a half years “with” Jesus, watching, listening, and experiencing his love before he confessed Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God. Few people have been able to experience Jesus in way the Peter did. After Jesus returned to the Father, no one could spend time in Jesus’ physical presence. But the church as his representative and as the body of Christ, the closest thing to the physical presence of Jesus, is called to model his love. This is the primary way we show the world that Jesus is God’s Son, and the Savior of the world is to love one another sacrificially, just as Jesus loves us. That is the central mission of the church. No one or nothing else can accomplish it.

Skeptics and seekers critically observe those who are part of the church, usually expecting to find hypocrisy—sinners claiming moral superiority and masquerading as saints. They conclude we are simply hypocrites and sinners, just like them or worse. Peter’s affirmation about Jesus remains unfathomable to them. But if we obey the new commandment Jesus gave us, our costly love for one another makes Peter’s affirmation plausible to them because like Jesus, we are loving sinners when we love one another. We are loving fellow sinners who do not deserve our love — and they are loving us, who also do not deserve it. That makes our love sacrificial, a thing of beauty. 

When Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples,” he was not saying unbelievers will judge whether or not we are saved. Rather, he knew they would recognize our love for one another as beautiful, Christ-like love, and so conclude we must be his disciples. That insight is the seed of genuine faith. Church programs or worship services seldom convince lost people to go all-in for Jesus. Our love for each other draws people to the Lord and to his church, and when they meet “God’s holy people,” our love confirms that Jesus is alive and well.

Saints or Sinners?

Yes, the church is both a human and a divine, Spirit-filled institution. But unlike Jesus, the human part is not sinless. If we take Jesus’ “new commandment” seriously by loving each other sacrificially much like he has loved us, the unchurched will see saints, holy people set apart and different because of the way we love one another. They will increasingly see the church as God sees it.

I have seen glimpses of the church God sees on five different continents. God’s people have loved me unconditionally and sacrificially. I have encountered the love of Jesus through his holy ones, saints! I have flourished because of their sacrificial love, encouragement, acceptance, kindness, generosity, and forgiveness. They have manifested Jesus’ presence to me as the body of Christ. They are beautiful and holy in God’s sight and have increasingly become so in my sight. I think of this every time I receive the Lord’s Supper. Paul wrote, “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1 Cor 11:28, NIV). It is not clear to me whether Paul was referring to the bread as the church (body of Christ) surrounding me or the risen body of Jesus when he referred to discerning “the Body of Christ.” How we see Jesus shapes the way we see the church. 

As we obey the new commandment, we love each other into wholeness. Simultaneously, we begin to see things, including the church, through the lens of Jesus. As a result, disciples learn to love the church “just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her, to make her holy and clean, washed by water and the word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault” (Eph 5:25b-27). Paul was seeing and describing the church as the “bride of Christ.” That’s what we must see in order to obey the New Commandment. We must see and treat our fellow disciples as “glorious…, without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish.” When we do that, with the assistance of the Spirit, the church will increasingly become “a visible expression of Kingdom living.” That’s how God sees the church now. We must learn to see one another in the same way: “holy and without fault.” In other words, a community of God’s saints.

THINKING IT THROUGH

“So follow the steps of the good, and stay on the paths of the righteous.” Proverbs 2:20

THE TRUTH: Jesus created a community of disciples to be a visible expression of Kingdom Living.

YOUR CHALLENGE: Disciples serve and flourish within that community. 

The Scriptures, questions, and notes are for group discussion and personal reflection. Our goal in Tier II is character transformation which requires sustained effort and growing faith. Thinking through the questions can help you understand this challenge at a deeper level. We encourage you to focus on those questions that you find most interesting or helpful. This is not a test, but a tool to help you respond to the challenges.

Related Scriptures

Acts 6:1-7 ¹ But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
² So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. ³ And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. ⁴ Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.
⁵ Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). ⁶ These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
⁷ So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

[NOTE: The majority of believers in the Jerusalem church spoke Hebrew, not Greek. Yet those chosen to distribute the bread to widows all had Greek names and so presumably spoke Greek, making them part of the minority who had experienced discrimination. The minority were elevated to leadership and put in charge or rectifying the injustice.]

John 17:21-22 ²¹ I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
²² I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.

Ephesians 1:1b ¹ᵇ I am writing to God’s holy people [literally “saints”] in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:2-4 ² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

Ephesians 4:32 ³² … be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

1 Corinthians 1:2 ² I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people [literally “saints”].

Philippians 4:2-3 ² Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. ³ And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News.

1 Corinthians 1:10 ¹⁰ I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

1 Corinthians 8:1c ¹ᶜ … it is love that strengthens the church.

Colossians 1:18 ¹⁸ Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.

1 Timothy 3:15 ¹⁵ This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Philippians 2:2-4 ² Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. ³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Questions

You are encouraged to use these questions for group discussion or personal reflection. Respond to the questions that are most relevant or interesting to you (I urge you to write your responses in a journal or notebook). 

1. Think of and share experiences or stories of people being “better together” (i.e. families, sports teams, military, business, music, schools, clubs, etc.).

2. Why do you think Jesus called multiple disciples instead of just one or two?

3. How did the original twelve benefit and flourish by being in a community of disciples? 

4. Reread the list of terms used in the Bible to describe the church (find them in the section, The Church Matters). Which term or terms are your favorites and why? What do they tell you about the church?

5. When you read the descriptions of the church in Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35, what qualities and characteristics of the first church stand out the most to you? Describe them and why they are significant.

6. When you think of the church, do you typically envision saints or sinners? 

7. The biblical emphasis on community is in sharp contrast with our society’s emphasis on the individual. Do you think you can flourish as a disciple without being part of a faith community? Why or why not?

8. Do you think of the church as being people or do you associate it with buildings, denominations, or religious organizations? 

9. Have you ever been in a group of people who saw you as Jesus sees you?

10. Jesus told his disciples that people could judge whether or not they were disciples by the way they loved each other. Using this criteria, would people in your circle of friends and acquaintances be more likely to conclude you were a disciple of Jesus or a just another sinner?

11. The church was born when the Spirit descended upon the believers. It is Spirit-filled by definition. Do you think of it in that way? Do you experience it in that way?

12. What does “the church is the body of Christ” mean to you?’

Further Thoughts on Obeying the “New Commandment”

The Challenge Within the Challenge

The NT not only contains Jesus’ New Commandment (the challenge); it also contains a list of “one another” mandates. These mandates give us specific directions on what obeying Jesus’ new commandment looks like (the challenge within the challenge). They are imperatives, meaning they are mandatory, not optional—a “must”—not a “perhaps.” Jesus gave us the first “one another mandate” when he said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (Jn 13:35). However, there are numerous “one another” mandates sprinkled throughout the NT. Look over the following partial list of what it means to “love one another as I have loved you.” They are from the NIV translation.

• Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Rom 12:10)

• Live in harmony with one another. (Rom 12:16)

• Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…. (Rom 13:8)

• … stop passing judgment on one another. (Rom 14:13)

• Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you…. (Rom 15:7)

• … you … are competent to instruct one another. (Rom 15:14)

• Greet one another with a holy kiss. (Rom 16:16 and three other places) 

• I appeal to you, … in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Cor 1:10)

• … encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. (2 Cor 13:11)

• … serve one another humbly in love. (Gal 5:13)

• Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.(Eph 4:2)

• Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Eph 4:32) 

• Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph 5:21)

• 5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…. (Phil 2:5-6)

• Bear with each other and forgive one another…. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3:13)

• … teach and admonish one another with all wisdom …. (Col 3:16)

• Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…. (1 Thess 5:11)

• But encourage one another daily…. (Heb 3:13)

• … spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, … but encouraging one another…. (Heb 10:24-25)

• Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. (Heb 13:1)

• … do not slander one another. (James 4:11)

• Don’t grumble against one another…. (James 5:9)

• …love one another deeply, from the heart. (1 Pet 1:22)

• …be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. (1 Pet 3:8)

• Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Pet 4:9)

• …clothe yourselves with humility toward one another….  (1 Pet 5:5)

• … have fellowship with one another…. (1 Jn 1:7)

• And this is his command: … to love one another…. (1 Jn 3:23)

• … let us love one another, for love comes from God. (1 Jn 4:7)

• … since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  (1 Jn 4:11-12)

The “one another mandates” are like road signs appearing throughout the NT, pointing us to the Jesus Way. They remind us what Jesus did and what Jesus’ disciples are called to do. If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking “I would stop complaining about churches if people really loved each other in these ways.” We need to change our thinking, however. Instead of criticizing others who fail to obey these mandates, we should prayerfully and humbly seek opportunities to practice the “one another” mandates. This command from Jesus is the second most important responsibility (after loving God) for every church member in every church. If we think loving one another in this way is too difficult, we have left the Jesus way. God empowers us to do whatever he commands. The NT church, filled with the Spirit’s power, loved one another, not perfectly but authentically. As we attempt to obey the new commandment, we discover that such love is not only possible, but also contagious. Let’s help make our local churches visible expressions of Kingdom living. We do that by making obedience to Jesus’ new commandment our first membership responsibility. Our strategy is to obey the new commandment by prayerfully following the “one another” mandates every time we are with other disciples and urge others to do the same. Then, those outside the church will see our love for one another and realize we are genuine followers of Jesus—different in a very good way (like saints)—and Jesus will be both pleased and glorified. 

Copyright © 2024 Don Waite

All rights reserved.

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