Jesus and the apostles constantly reminded the church to focus on the "one another stuff". The following are just a few of the things that Christians are challenged to do.
Love one another (John 13:34,35; 15:12,17;).
Love one another (1 John 3:11,23; 4:7,11;).
Love one another (2 John 1:5;).
Love one another (1 Thes 3:12;).
Love one another (1 Pet 1:22; 4:8;).
Love one another (Rom 13:8).
Be devoted to one another (Rom 12:10).
Honour one another above yourselves (Rom 12:10).
Live in harmony with one another (Rom 12:16).
Stop passing judgement on one another (Rom 14:13).
Build up and edify each other (Rom 14:19).
Instruct (admonish) one another (Rom 15:14).
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you (Rom 15:7).
Greet one another (Rom 16:16; 1 Peter 5:14).
Agree with one another so that may be perfectly united (1 Cor 1:10).
Have concern for each other (1 Cor 12:25).
Serve one another in love (Gals 5:13).
Carry each other's burdens (Gal 6:2).
Bearing with one another in love (Eph 4:2).
Be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph 4:32).
Forgive one another (Eph 4:32).
Speak to one another (Eph 5:19).
Submit to one another (Eph 5:21).
Agree with each other (Phil 4:2).
Forgive one another (Col 3:13).
Teach and admonish one another (Col 3:16).
Encourage one another (1 Thes 4:18; 5:11).
Build each other up (1 Thes 5:11).
Live in peace with each other (1 Thes 5:13).
Be kind to each other (1 Thes 5:15).
Encourage one another daily (Heb 3:13).
Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb 10:24).
Encourage one another (Heb 10:25).
Keep on loving each other as brothers (Heb 13:1).
Confess your sins to each other (James 5:16).
Pray for each other (James 5:16).
Love one another deeply, from the heart (1 Pet 1:22).
Live in harmony with one another (1 Pet 3:8).
Offer hospitality to one another (1 Pet 4:9).
Serve each other (1 Pet 4:10).
Show humility toward one another 1 Pet 5:5).
Greet one another with a kiss of love (1 Pet 5:14).
Have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7).
There is a lot do in these commands. Many of them are repeated several times. We are told to love each other about twenty times. All these things are important for strengthening the church and maturing Christians.
Circular Relationships
The relationships in the church should be circular. The "One Another Stuff" is more important than "Submission Stuff". Most of it will take place within pairs.
In contrast, in the conventional church, all the links go through the centre.
A good test of the quality of relationships is the amount of forgiveness that is taking place.
Forgive one another (Col 3:13).
If people are not interacting, there will not be much stuff to forgive. It is interesting that much of the offence among modern Christians is either against the pastor and worship leader, or against friends and work colleagues. The reason is that most interaction in the church is with the pastor and worship leader. Most Christians do not have enough interaction with each other to cause offence and need forgiveness.
Special Anointing
Matthew 18:20 is a very well known verse; it is quoted frequently. Yet we have failed to notice its full implication.
Where two or three come together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.
Jesus is saying that when two or three Christians are working together for him in unity, his Spirit will be with them in all his fullness. Part of the reason is that two or three can only come together in unity, if they are doing the one another stuff. Therefore, if we really want to know the presence of Jesus, we must get together in twos or threes and seriously do the one another stuff. Doing the one another stuff is the key to experiencing the total power of God.
Return to Power Pairs.
