Treasures New and Old
Treasures New and OldChristian Behavior: Relationships: Believers
– Romans 6:4
So far, we have looked at the new creatures that we as believers in Christ are, and we looked at the fact that we are now children of God and children of the King – Jesus Christ. Let’s now say a few words about maturity as it relates to our identity in Christ. I would also remind you of the Seven Disciples’ Principles that we should remember and observe (as in guard, hold important). To review, look back at the first article of the Discipleship series.
Seven Principles Recap:
- We must always strive to be like Him and understand that we can never be better than Him
- Always remember that Christ is our Master – others may be teachers or counselors, or brethren, but He is our Master
- The Master is coming back and will ask for an accounting
- Hold fast to the truth, don’t stray, avoid the gray areas
- Disciples serve one another – as our Master gave example
- Stay in the Master’s Book
- Be a vessel of honor
What are my responsibilities to other believers?
Clearly, most of the New Testament is full of wisdom and instruction on how we are to relate to one another as Christians. Virtually every epistle written by the Apostles has advice, admonitions, warnings, encouragement, and cautions to the epistle readers because that is primarily why they were written. Granted, there is a lot of God-to-man discussion as fallen humans constantly need to be reminded of the truths surrounding our relationship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; but we also need reminders on how to treat and relate to one another.
Ever know a “sourpuss” Christian you couldn’t stand? Know anyone who is a Christian, but also an energy taker (and not a giver)? Are there those in your life who are Christians, but they pose an irritation of some kind of you? Ever met such a demanding Christian that you could never satisfy them and, frankly, didn’t want to be around them? How about a prideful Christian (who just happens to do everything better than you do)? I could go on, but I’ll stop with this one – ever met a Christian (usually older) who is set in their ways and can’t be flexible and, therefore, is hard to fellowship with?
Well, welcome to the Church of Jesus Christ! It would have been nice if the moment we were saved that we all became like “saints” (that is, in the strictest sense of being celestial and perfect!). It simply doesn’t happen that way.
Jesus Christ began a work in us: Hebrews 13:19-21: “But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” And will conform us (Romans 8:29: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”) into His image (may I say “saints” using the above definition). But that work takes time. That is why we Christians talk about three phases of the Christian journey:
Justification: getting saved, and God seeing us “just as if we hadn’t sinned”: Romans 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”; Romans 5:9: “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Sanctification: being set apart and cleaning up as it were: Philippians 2:12-13: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Glorification: the new, eternal celestial body that we all hope for: Romans 8:17: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
So instead of quoting the entire New Testament and making commentary on every verse (a life’s work, I imagine), I will simply list some important relationship “highlights” and the verse or verses that relate to the short statement at the start of each bullet below. After all, nothing says it better than God’s Word.
Some “one-anothers”
- Love one another
John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I gave unto you, That ye love [agapao (Strong’s 25)] one another; as I have loved you, that ye also one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Romans 12:10: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;”
1 John 4:7: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”
- Serve one another
Galatians 5:13-14: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve [douleuo – “be a slave” (Strong’s G1398)] one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Here neighbor is plesion, implying your fellow Christian (Strong’s G4139), but can easily be extended to your neighbor as well.)
- Be kind to one another
1 Thessalonians 5:15: “See that none render evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
- Have fellowship with one another
1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
- Offer hospitality to one another
1 Peter 4:9: “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
- Confess your sins one to another, and pray for one another
James 5:16: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
- Bear one another’s burdens
Galatians 6:2: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
- Encourage and comfort one another
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in their air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
- Exhort one another
Hebrews 3:12-13: “Take heed, 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.”
- Forgive one another
1 Peter 4:8: “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
Galatians 6:1: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Colossians 3:12-13: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Ephesians 4:31-32: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
- Minister to one another
1 Peter 4:10: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
- Don’t build debts between one another
Romans 13:8: “Own no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
- Worship with one another
Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
- Consider one another above yourself
Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”
1 Corinthians 4:6: “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.”
- Hold fast our testimony in Christ for one another
Hebrews 10:23-24: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”
- Pray for one another
Ephesians 6:18: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
- Speak truth to one another
Ephesians 4:25: “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.”
Colossians 3:9-10: “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
- Build one another up in the faith
Romans 15:1-3: “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”
- Be likeminded towards one another
Romans 12:16: “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
Romans 15:5-6: “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Obey those in authority over you
Hebrews 13:17: “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
- Give to the needs of one another
Hebrews 13:16: “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
- Be a servant to others
Mark 10:42-45: “But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minster, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
- Defer to one another (the weaker brother)
Romans 14:1-5: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.”
- Esteem one another better than yourself
Philippians 2:2-4: “Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
- Be careful about judging one another
John 7:24: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
Romans 14:4-5: “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
Romans 14:10-13: “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
- Be patient toward one another
James 5:8-9: “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”
- Honor one another
Romans 12:10: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;”
- Be sober and edify one another
1 Thessalonians 5:6-11: “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting one the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
- Submit one to another
1 Peter 5:5: “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
Ephesians 5:21: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
- Teach and admonish one another
Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
- Strive towards peace and unity with one another
Ephesians 4:1-3: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Romans 14:18-19: “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
- Have fervent charity toward one another (fits forgiveness and love as well . . .)
1 Peter 4:7-8: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
- Do not provoked one another
Galatians 5:22-26: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
- Warn, comfort, and support one another
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15: “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
- Do not speak evil (gossip) about one another
James 4:11-12: “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
Obviously, there are many more “one anothers” we can find in the Scriptures. In fact, I would encourage you to do your own Bible study and find “one another” verses and make your own list to follow when dealing with fellow believers.
Maranatha!
May God bless you all!
Bro. Joe
Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)