Relationships That Work: "The Importance of Being a One-Another Christian"

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

I. Be Devoted to One Another (Romans 12:9-10a)

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection." (Romans 12:9-10a)

II. Teach and Admonish One Another (Colossians 3:16)

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts with God." (Colossians 3:16)

III. Forgive One Another (Ephesians 4:31-32)

"to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24)

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)

IV. Bear One Another's Burdens (Galatians 6:2)

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

Action Steps:

1. Be Devoted to One Another (Romans 12:9-10)

Think of several good things from your relationship with family members that you can implement in your relationship with other believers.

2. Teach and Admonish One Another. (Colossians 3:16)

Do you desire to teach others what God is teaching you? List one person that you can “teach” this week (even in informal or spontaneous conversation) as you talk about what God is doing in your life.

Do you desire to lovingly admonish others who you know are doing things that rob God of His glory? List one person that you can lovingly admonish this week and pray that your heart behind this would be out of a motive of care for them.

3. Forgive One Another (Ephesians 4:31-32)

If you have a damaged relationship with a fellow brother or sister in Christ, seek them out in humility, looking to forgive and reconcile with them as God has been reconciled with you through Christ.

4. Bear One Another’s Burdens (Galatians 6:2)

Think about ways that you can bear someone’s burdens this week. These do not have to be major tasks, and may be something small (actively listening to someone in their struggle, helping your roommate with their homework, caring for your mother or father,

etc.)

(Adapted from "31 Ways to be a One-Another Christian" by Stuart Scott)