The Importance of One Another

             You do not have to read very deep into the New Testament before coming to the conclusion that God thinks his family should be deeply meaningful to one another and a great resource for enriching our lives. That is not the experience that everyone has of their church family! Sometimes, to quote the Apostle Paul, we are guilty of “biting and devouring one another.” But we also know we are wrong when we act that way and in our better moments we repent and make peace with those we have sinned against.

            The most often repeated one another command is to “love one another!” Most of the other one another passages reinforce and flesh out the command to love. Notice these passages:

 
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
 
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7)
 
…so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (1 Corinthians 12:25)
 
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
 
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)
 
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
 
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. (1 Thessalonians 4:9)
 
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9)

            Living in these ways creates a very powerful community – the Body of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the Palo Alto Church of Christ – for my experience of you is in line with these passages. Right now we have a lot of families in pain and transition, dealing with sickness, disease and loss. In those moments of pain, confusion and loss it is crucial that we have the love of one another to lean on. I am thankful that our God is the God of all comfort and that he gives us the blessing of one another.
                                                                                                           - Kenny Payne