One Another

By Suzanne Benner on March 4th, 2009 at 12:01 am in Devotional, Devotional For Women

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Is the body of Christ an abstract concept to you?

We are not simply individuals; we are part of a group, a group that is to be characterized by loving interactions.

The Bible is loaded with instructions on how Christians should respond to each other. These “one another” statements form the framework for the body of Christ:

Love one another (John 13:34)

Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)

Live in harmony with one another. (Romans 12:16)

Accept one another (Romans 15:7)

Agree with one another (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)

Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. (Colossians 3:13)

Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

The body of Christ is a place of acceptance, service and love. It is a community full of compassion, encouragement and harmony; a group devoted to humility, forgiveness and unity.

How is such a community developed? One “one another” at a time.

Imagine the impact our lives would have if we focused on practicing a different “one another” each day or the same one for a whole week. What would happen if in the midst of an argument or an interaction with an irritating person, we paused to ask ourselves which “one another” we should be exercising at that moment?

I believe that not only would we be changed, but so would those around us. The body of Christ would be an attractive and transforming agent in our world.

God, I want to live how You have called me to live. Help me begin treating all believers with love, compassion and forgiveness. Show me how to humbly serve those around me.

Questions: Which “one another” do you need to exercise today? Why is God so concerned about how we treat one another?

About this Author: Suzanne Benner

Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s daily devotional One Another read aloud, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog