The “One Anothers”

The New Testament has much to say about how Christians ought to walk with one another as a church in the light and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. One helpful way to spot these traits marking New Covenant life is in what we might call the “one anothers” of the New Testament. There are several of these, but I will survey five of them below:

Love One Another

This “one another” is so strong that the apostle Paul identifies its hearty observance with the fulfillment of the law in Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” And, of course, the measure of our love for one another is Christ’s love for His church. For He spared not Himself that He would redeem His bride, sanctify her, wash her, and present her to Himself spotless (Eph. 5:25-27). Such a giving of ourselves to our fellow brothers and sisters is a mark of true Christian life.

Admonish One Another

Modernity has ensured advice-giving be condemned as uncomfortable at best and hateful at worst. Therefore, many of us are slack in admonishing one another. To give instruction is seen as arrogant or haughty. But, if done in the spirit of the first “one another” mentioned above, instruction or admonishment is a means by which we love the brethren, “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another (Rom. 15:14).” Loving admonishment is key to a healthy church.

Care for One Another

As one body member nourishes another in time of need, so too ought Christians walk in benevolence toward one another. Our society is largely consumeristic. If it cannot consume you, it does not want you. However, Christians look to a greater reward, expecting no earthly return for time, labor, and money spent on the brethren. Therefore, as Christians, we ought to graciously make ourselves available to those of us who are in need. When one member suffers, so do all the members. When one member rejoices, likewise, so do all the members.

The apostle Paul, in admonishing the Corinthian church, says, “But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another (1 Cor. 12:24-25).” Scripture encourages and instructs us to look for opportunities to serve our brethren (Gal. 5:13).

Bear One Another’s Burdens

This “one another,” like “love one another,” is also linked with the fulfillment of the whole law in places like Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” What did Christ do? He bore our burdens. He took upon Himself the fulness of our sins, lived unto the Father without reserve, and even suffered to death in our place—taking upon Himself the divine wrath we deserved. Likewise, we are called to bear one another’s burdens. Surely, this should not seem a burdensome thing when the weight of what Christ bore is contemplated properly. Our neighbor may have burdens, but they do not bear the burden and reproach Christ bore. Therefore, having received such grace from God in Christ, it is a little thing that we should bear the burdens of our fellow brethren.

Speak to One Another in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

This “one another” occurs most explicitly and publicly during Lord’s Day worship. However, we are to always stand ready to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters with Scripture and song. Conversation centered around the meaning of a text in Scripture, or a group gathering voluntarily to sing praises to our great God and Savior, are expressions of Christian faith and love which go a long way in the building up of the church, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God (Eph. 5:17-21).”

Conclusion

There are other “one anothers” which are equally as important to those mentioned above. For example, in Colossians 3:13, Paul says we ought to “forgive one another.” You sin, and everyone you know sins. We all sin. As Christians, we ought to expect to encounter sin within our brethren. But, God has shed His grace upon us in the Lord Jesus, and we ourselves have been forgiven beyond what we can comprehend. Therefore, we should forgive those who sin against us. In 1 Thessalonians 4:18 we are commanded to comfort one another. We live in a turbulent world. Our fellow saints are bound to experience trials. Therefore, Christians should be ready to comfort one another by the grace of God.

These “one anothers,” it should be mentioned, are absolutely crucial in the right function of the local church. Without a general and genuine desire to walk in them, local churches will fall into a state of disrepair and heartache. Not only this, but the “one anothers” tell us how to best imitate and thus honor our Lord Jesus Christ. Christians, then, ought to be intentional about discerning and applying these “one anothers.”