Dear Members and Friends of IBCZ,
Last Sunday we considered what it means for us as a church to be a committed fellowship, a community of believers in Jesus Christ. We saw the importance Scripture places on living out our faith together, supporting and encouraging one another, meeting the needs of one another and helping each other grow in our faith. I read a list of “one another” statements from Scripture that describe the nature of our relationships in the church. I’ve included those here for your reference. You may want to keep this list in a handy place so you can refer to it often and be reminded of the life God calls us to live.
Love one another – Jn. 13:34-35
(You are members) of one another – Rom. 12:5
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love – Rom. 12:10
Honor one another – Rom. 12:10
Rejoice with one another – Rom. 12:15
Weep with one another – Rom. 12:15
Live in harmony with one another – Rom. 12:16
Stop passing judgment on one another – Rom. 14:13
Accept one another as Christ accepted you – Rom. 15:7
Instruct one another – Rom. 15:14
Greet one another with a holy kiss – Rom. 16:16
Care for one another – I Cor. 12:25
Serve one another in love – Gal. 5:13
Bear one another’s burdens – Gal. 6:2
Be kind and compassionate to one another – Eph. 4:32
Forgive one another – Eph. 4:32
Submit to one another – Eph. 5:21
Bear with one another – Col. 3:13
Encourage one another – I Thes. 5:11
Build up one another – I Thes. 5:11
Spur one another on toward love and good deeds – Heb. 10:24
Do not slander one another – Jas. 4:11
Confess your sins to one another – Jas. 5:16
Pray for one another – Jas. 5:16
Offer hospitality to one another – I Pet. 4:9
That is quite a list! Obviously, we cannot live all these out in our own strength, but as we continually allow the love of God to transform us, He will enable to us to fulfill this high calling, and we will be a church where love for God and love for one another reign supreme. By His grace, may we be that kind of church!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Bob