Do Not Bite And Devour One Another

From time to time we take a look at one of the 60 or so “one another” commands in Bible. They’re given to Christians so we can know how to properly relate to each other in the church and so we can be built up, others can be built up, and our church can thrive in the love of God.

Most of these commands are positive. Meaning they give us practical instruction on what we should do toward one another. But there are a handful of negative one another commands as well. Things we should not do to one another. I’d like us to look at one today.

Galatians 5:15 – ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

Don’t bite and devour one another. This can include unkindness, harming or exploiting others.^[1] Not getting along. Paul was writing to a church whose love and unity had broken down. Part of that had to do with false teachings, but it was also because many of the people were just no longer walking by the Spirit but were living in the desires of the flesh.^[2] Putting self first.

It’s natural for our human hearts to head in this direction. That’s why we need the heart and mind of Christ. But even as born again Christians, we’re reminded that we’re called to kindness and unity and getting along. Some of us are a little more quick to slice with our words or our attitudes. If we indulge that aspect of our sin nature, it’s going to consume us. It’s going to destroy our testimony. It’s going to stifle spiritual growth in our lives. As Paul says, it can even destroy a local church.

So how can I practice obedience to this command? Well, first I need to make it a habit of filtering my attitudes and words through the grace of God. To remember that we’re commanded to – in a proverbial sense – greet one another with a holy kiss, not a huffy bite.

And then Paul gives a practical way for how we avoid devouring one another just above verse 15:

Galatians 5:13-14 – ¹³ For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

As I serve others, love grows in my heart toward them and annoyance or bitterness or resentment is not given opportunity to grow. So, as I read this one another command and want to step toward God in obedience, one thing I can do is keep my thoughts in check and the second is to try to find ways, even very small ways, to serve the brothers and sisters around me. And as we do that we will not be consumed, but we will continue to thrive in God’s plan for us individually and corporately.

Carry One Another’s Burdens

From time to time we take a look at one of the 60 or so “one another” commands in Bible. They’re given to Christians so we can know how to properly relate to each other in the church and so we can be built up, others can be built up, and our church can thrive in the love of God.

Today’s command is found in Galatians 6:2

Galatians 6:2 – Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

All Christians carry burdens. Maybe a physical need. Maybe an economic need. Maybe grief. Maybe the weight of temptation or some heavy responsibility.

Paul uses a specific term for burdens here – one that refers to a crushing load that a person could not carry on their own without help.^[1]

We are commanded to help when we see a fellow Christian under a load they cannot bear on their own. In fact, Paul says that by carrying one another’s burdens we fulfill the law of Christ. What does he mean by that?

Well, in John 13, Jesus said, “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” And now Paul gives us a practical application of how to obey this command. Carry one another’s burdens.

For the record, I think we do make it a priority to do this. All the time I’m hearing about people doing one thing or another for someone else in need. And that is wonderful! Because one of the worst things a Christian can be is apathetic. In the first century, there was this philosophy a lot of people followed called Stoicism. Stoicism taught that the goal of life was detachment, independence, self-sufficiency.^[2]

But we’re called to connection and mutual support. And it’s not a suggestion, it’s not optional, this is a command. As we’ll see in our study of 2 Peter, we can always grow more in every aspect of our faith. So, how can we continue to cultivate growth in the area of bearing one another’s burdens?

As always, it starts in the heart. Asking the Lord to increase our love for the spiritual family around us. That we wouldn’t be sliding into apathy, but growing affection and compassion.

From there, if I want to be used by God to carry burdens and if I want the Lord to provide people to help me with my burdens, well, then I need to be more connected, more communicative with people. I can’t help with what I don’t know about.

This is why we encourage you to get on the email list, to download the church center app, to meet people and talk with them. Not to just pass in and out of services in isolation, but being brave to join in with this family God has drawn you to. It might mean being a little more open with what’s going on in your life so that others can support you. It might mean stopping in at the life table and saying, “Hey, I’m available to help when there’s a need.”

As we communicate more, we’ll be able to accomplish more what the Lord has commanded us.

And here’s a sweet thing that God does for us when we obey Him: He provides not only the power, but supplies contentment and satisfaction through our service.

You see, after Paul says in Galatians 6:2, “Carry one another’s burdens,” listen to what he says in verse 5:

Galatians 6:5 –  For each person will have to carry his own load.

Well wait, is this a contradiction? No. He uses a different word here. The first time it’s the heavy load that one person can’t carry on their own. This time, it’s a word that refers to a pilgrim’s backpack.^[3] And that burden, Christ promises, is easy and light. So, as we carry our burdens and the burdens of others, the Lord does His part to strengthen us, support us, and help us Himself.

So, let’s trust Him and obey Him and be people who are ready and active in carrying one another’s burdens.

Wait For One Another

From time to time we are taking a look together at the “one another” commands in Bible. It’s been a little while, but we’re back at it this morning.

There are about 60 “one another” commands, given to Christians so we can know how to properly relate to each other in the church and so we can be built up, others can be built up, and our church can thrive in the love of God.

So far, we’ve been reminded to greet one another, encourage one another, sing to one another, pray for one another, honor one another, be kind and compassionate to one another, and to use our gifts to serve one another.

What’s great about all of these is that they’re straightforward. These are all practical things, each within reach – very doable – as we set our hearts on obeying what God has asked us to do.

Today’s command is just as practical and just as doable. Paul gives it to us in 1 Corinthians 11:

1 Corinthians 11:33 – So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

In the moment, Paul was speaking to them about proper behavior at what was known as the “agape feast.” In Corinth, the Christians would gather together and before they took communion they would share a meal. People would bring food from home and the idea was that they would all share together one, big, family meal. Now, the church in Corinth was having some trouble with sharing – some of the wealthy members were just gorging themselves while the hungry members had nothing. So, Paul wanted to be sure they understood what was proper Christian conduct.

But as part of his instruction, Paul said, “wait for one another.” It means not seeing our gatherings as just about what we need, but that we’re gathered together as a family of Christians before the Lord.

When we wait for one another in common courtesy, it’s a way of us welcoming each other and joining together. It’s a way for us to show others and remind ourselves that they weren’t just sitting together in the same room, but that as Christians we should be concerned for the spiritual and physical well-being of those around us. We’re not just in the same location, we’re here together and as we wait for one another as we go into the cafe, as we walk through the courtyard, or wherever we might be, it helps us become a community that is better connected because we’re being more mindful of those who are with us. It helps us not overlook those who might be struggling, who might need something, who might not be sure exactly what to do in a given moment. Waiting for one another as Paul depicts it here reminds us that we’re siblings at the family table, not just consumers in line at Chipotle. So, today, let’s see if we can find ways to wait for one another and be built up together as God continues to grow His fruit in us.

Be Kind & Compassionate To One Another

From time to time we are taking a look together at the “one another” commands in Bible. It’s been a little while, but we’re back at it this morning.

There are about 60 “one another” commands, given to Christians so we can know how to properly relate to each other in the church and so we can be built up, others can be built up, and our church can thrive in the love of God.

This morning we’re looking at Ephesians 4:32. Actually, this one verse has three one another commands. But we want to take the first half:

Ephesians 4:32a – be kind and compassionate to one another.

This is pretty straightforward, isn’t it? It’s a no-brainer. Even the world understands the importance of kindness from one person to another. That’s why you have wall decor that says “Be Kind.” That’s why we have that phrase, “Random acts of kindness.” That’s why in the 80’s and 90’s we were all trained to, “be kind, rewind.”

But here’s God commanding us to show kindness and compassion to one another in the Church.

Now, scholars flesh out this command for us. First, they explain that “be” really means “become.”^[1] And Paul phrases it here in such a way that means, “Keep on becoming kind” to one another.^[2]

No matter where we’re at on the kind spectrum, we can all grow and progress. Because the kindness Paul is talking about is not just making it a habit of holding a door for someone, thought that is a great way to be kind, but he’s really referring to the character of God, Himself. Romans 2 tells us God is rich in kindness. And when Jesus famously told us that His yoke is easy, it’s the same word that is used for kind, here.

Along with this good, easy, gracious kindness, Paul lumps in compassionate. Linguists explain this is a rare word. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used this word to describe the healthy function of the intestines.^[3] So, kindness and compassion is the normal, healthy behavior of the Body of Christ.

So, how can we put these things into practice? Well, first we consider the kindness of God. The way He reaches out to us. His goodness and patience and care for us. And from there, we would all do well to have a mentality where we challenge ourselves with side quests of obedience. We came today to worship God and to hear from His word, but we can have some side quests along the way.

How can I put someone else first today? How can I show generosity toward someone at church today? How can I ask after someone or welcome someone new. If our mentality is, “Lord, I want to actively obey You today,” He will definitely give us opportunities.

So, let’s be kind and compassionate to one another, just as our Lord has been to us.

Pray For One Another (The One Anothers)

It’s time to take a look at one of the “one another” commands. There are about 60 of them, given directly to Christians so we can know how to properly relate to each other in the Church. Healthy church life doesn’t happen by accident, it doesn’t happen on its own, it happens as we – together – follow the word of God not only in how we relate to Him, but how we relate to others.

In James chapter 5, we are commanded to pray for one another. And we’re told “the prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”^[1]

Prayer is an issue that many Christians end up sidestepping or sort of giving up on. Many of us would probably admit that we don’t really have a great understanding or experience of prayer. We all know it’s important and we all do it at some level, but if we were polled anonymously, a lot of Christians might say that much of their prayer life is brief, repetitive, and feels mechanical.

Maybe it’s only pastors. A recent survey showed that only 16% of pastors feel very satisfied with their prayer lives.^[2]

But God does not want us to feel unsatisfied with this aspect of our faith. He has given us prayer as a gift. And of course we’re not going to have a perfect prayer life, but that’s no reason to allow it to fall by the wayside.

We know the Lord will teach us to pray as we walk with Him and as we go to Him in prayer, imperfect as it may be. The good news is that the only barrier to prayer is our willingness.

So, we believe prayer matters and that corporate prayer matters. That’s why we’ve have an email prayer chain. That’s why we have a prayer wall on our website. That’s why we set out prayer cards and have a time of corporate prayer on Wednesday nights and have prayer up front after the study on Sundays. Not because we are trying to make a show, but because we believe that God works through prayer and that we’re commanded to pray for each other.

But, since the Lord has put this One Another series on my heart, I thought we could attempt another small step of obedience and faith. I know many of you spend a lot of time praying for others and have very vibrant prayer lives. But I was thinking about how we could not just hear this command, but encourage all of us to obey it and here’s one way I’d like us to try. If you have our mobile app, it is able to receive notifications. Maybe you’ve turned the notifications off, that’s ok.

But if you have them enabled, we’re going to schedule a regular notification to go out the same time each week to invite us all to take a moment to pray. To pray for our church family, maybe pray for a specific issue, to pray for God’s leading in our church. And, that can be a moment each week when a bunch of us are able to just pause and go to the Lord, maybe just a few words, but knowing that we’re praying together for one another. We’re going to schedule it for Saturday at 4pm.

And then, if you want to join the prayer chain or check out the prayer wall online, you can do that, of course.

But we see these words in James chapter 5. We believe God is telling us the truth that prayer is very powerful in its effect, and we want to obey the command more and more as we walk with the Lord and learn to trust Him more and more. I hope you’ll join us when you can.

Encourage One Another

From time to time we take a look at the “one another” commands in Bible. They given to us so we can know how to properly relate to each other in the church and so we can be built up, others can be built up, and our church can thrive in the love of God. Today’s command is given several places in the New Testament, but we’ll start with Hebrews 3:13.

Hebrews 3:13 – But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.

To encourage means to comfort, to exhort, to cheer. To urge or make an appeal to someone.^[1] It implies calling on the Lord in prayer. And it’s something we do for one another right up close – the term means to call to one’s side.^[2]

We need encouragement because the world is a difficult place, full of darkness and the ruin of sin. We face discouragement, tragedy, suffering, sorrow, pressures, disappointments, setbacks, and loss. Our spiritual enemies try day by day to brow beat us into submission – trying to convince us that God is not going to help us, not going to deliver us, that our situation is hopeless. The sin nature within us tries moment by moment to deceive us into thinking that we should give into temptation – that it doesn’t matter if we really walk with God and carry out His commands.

All of us, need encouragement. Hebrews says we need it on a daily basis. We need the cheering, comforting, exhortation of the truth. And the Holy Spirit, Who is our Comforter, and the term there comes from the same word that ‘encourage’ does in Hebrews 3, He sends us out to be agents of encouragement to one another.

Paul wrote in both Romans and 1 Thessalonians that we can give and receive encouragement through the Word of God.^[3] The hope and endurance we need to live in this world comes through the Scriptures, which comforts us with the truth of Who God is and what He is doing.

Some Christians have the gift of encouragement.^[4] We are not only thankful for you, we recognize your work in the Church is absolutely essential. But all of us are called to encourage one another.

On a practical level, we do this by praying for each other, by reminding each other of God’s plan and His faithfulness, and that His plan for our lives and this world is unstoppable. To bring consolation by reminding each other that the darkness will not overcome the Light.

This past week was particularly discouraging for our nation. Aside from the horrific, shocking, public assassination of Charlie Kirk, it seemed like there was a constant flood of horrible news. We are constantly inundated by these stories of violence, images of suffering, problems escalating as sin runs rampant in our culture, in our cities, and around the world.

This is exactly where encouragement comes in. It is not time to despair. It’s not time start hating. We must come together, side by side, to remind ourselves that our faith in Christ will drive out fear. The Christian life is never hopeless. Our God is the God Who encourages the downcast.^[5] And we are reminded that His love and power are the same whether you live under Solomon or Nebuchadnezzar, whether you’re worshiping in Jerusalem or enslaved in Egypt, whether you’re with Jesus feeding the 5,000 or in dungeon stocks of Philippi. Whether you win or lose an election. Whether the news is good or bad. Our Lord’s good work cannot be thwarted by scoffers or liars or killers. He has sent us out in joy and to proclaim the Good News of His victory.

Our world is simmering with godless hate. You and I have been called to a bold and vocal hope. To be a people who do not give in to the deception around us and become hard-hearted like so many others, but to be those who are strengthened, consoled, called to participate in Christ’s love. So, in the face of the troubles and sorrows around us, God’s Word sends this comfort: Let not your hearts be troubled. Let not your hearts become hard with hate or pessimism. Believe in Christ. Believe in the power of His Gospel, the continual outpouring of His grace. He will not disappoint us. He will not fail. And one day He will make every sad thing untrue. All will be made new. The day is coming!

Honor One Another

From time to time we take a look at the “one another” commands in Bible. They given to us so we can know how to properly relate to each other in the church and so we can be built up, others can be built up, and our church can thrive in the love of God. Today’s command comes from Romans.

Romans 12:10b – Take the lead in honoring one another.

What does it mean to “honor” someone? Well, it means to respect someone, to value them.^[1] To show appreciation and accord recognition.^[2] Now, how does that square with the fact that we’re called to servanthood and humility and not thinking more highly of ourselves than we should?^[3]

Quite honestly, we don’t do a lot of public recognition around church. We don’t name things after donors or bring people up front to talk about how great they are so we all can clap at them. We try to keep things more anonymous for a variety of reasons. One is that we believe service to the Lord should be done for Him, and not so I can receive accolades. When Jesus famously spoke about mustard seed faith, He ended that discussion by saying, “when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’”^[4]

Another reason why we don’t make a big show of commending people is because we live in the midst of a secular culture that thrives on selfish attention. That’s why social media exists. People often get very upset when they feel like they’re not recognized enough at work. Our human hearts want to be celebrated and, frankly, even when we are it’s never enough.

But are we neglecting this Romans 12 command to honor one another? Well, what are we being told to do? First, it’s not for me to be honored. The command is that I go out of my way to value Christians around me. To put them first. And not to do so so that I can then turn and say, “Ok it’s my turn.” In fact, this command is meant to keep our natural desire to honor ourselves in check.^[5]

And, the respect and recognition we give is not based on the person, but on the work God has accomplished. The praise goes to the Lord, not the human.

So, as usual, this aspect of our faith starts with our perspective: That I value and respect the believers around and look for ways to make them important by the way I behave.

The tangible ways of carrying out this command is not about puffing people up or flattering them, but celebrating who they are in Christ, acknowledging the work God is doing in them. It means not demanding the first place in line, not walking up to someone and saying, “That’s my seat, you need to move.” Not behaving as if whatever I want to say to this person matters more than the person they’re already talking to.

We can honor one another in all sorts of ways today – real ways – and I hope we all diligently pursue that command as we interact with each other.

The One Anothers: Emply The Gifts

From time to time we are taking a look together at the “one another” commands in Bible. There are about 60 of them, given to us so we can know how to properly relate to each other in the church and so we can be built up, others can be built up, and our church can thrive in the love of God.

Last time we looked at “greet one another.” Today we’re going to take a look at another command found in 1 Peter 4:10.

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Peter goes on to list some ways that happens. But that’s the command: Employ your gifts for the benefit of one another. First of all, it’s exciting to know that the Lord specifically allocates each and everyone of His people with spiritual gifting for particular purposes.

So what is a spiritual gift? Well, they are abilities or activities given by the grace of God and His sovereign choosing that provide the power we need to accomplish the work of the Holy Spirit. So, that means you can’t earn or learn a spiritual gift and you don’t get to choose gifts, buffet style. It’s not about your natural skills, it’s a supernatural enabling.

Of course, we can all use our natural skills and abilities to serve God and help others – for sure. But on top of those natural abilities, God gives each of us gifts of the Spirit. And the reason He gives them is not for our own fame or to make us great or to make us feel like we’re better than other people. Actually, they’re given in the opposite direction. They are given for the common good of the Church.^[1] God gifts and arranges each of us so that the whole Body of Christ can grow in a healthy and joyful and supportive way.^[2]

According to Ephesians 4, as each of us operate our gifts to serve one another, all of us reach unity in the faith and in our knowledge of Jesus, and we grow into a greater and greater fullness of spiritual maturity and strength. Sounds great, doesn’t it? So my gifts are for you, and your gifts are for me so that Christ’s Body and our local expression of it can thrive and move and grow.

So, that’s the command: Employ your spiritual gift for the benefit of one another. Naturally that begs the question: What is my spiritual gift or gifts?

At this point, sometimes we’re tempted to go to the internet and take a quiz. But that’s certainly not how any believers figured it out in the last couple thousand years, right?

The New Testament has a variety of texts that teach us about spiritual gifts. We should all look at Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12-14, and 1 Peter 4. But, as you study these different lists, you’ll note they don’t all match. And they aren’t exhaustive. In fact, some of the “gifts” discussed in these passages are really categories, not specific activities. But going through these passages shows us the types of gifting He gives and the purposes He has in mind. And as we go through them, the Bible tells us we should desire spiritual gifts and pursue their operation.

The way we discover our gift is to, first and foremost, have a living relationship with God the Holy Spirit. God wants us to know what He’s given us so that we can put them to use.

Second, we see that spiritual gifts are primarily connected to the life of a church. There are different categories – some miraculous, some dealing with communication, some dealing with day-to-day initiatives – but they’re all about putting the Body of Christ together. Just like your body has extremely different cells but all are necessary. Blood cells are very different than nerve cells, which are very different than skin cells, but I’d really like to have all of them! Each has a necessary function that contributes to a vibrant life.

So, as I connect myself to the church family God has sent me to, and as I find my place in that organism, the Lord will reveal my gifts and bring them into action according to His design.

The principle I need to keep in mind is that my gifts are given not for me, but for you. My gift is given for the benefit of the one anothers around me. But if I don’t care about this gracious gift of spiritual power given to operate in my life for the growth of the church, then I’m going to become like a dead skin cell. Dried and flaky and ready to slough off at any moment from disuse.

So, our homework is to take a quick audit: Do I know what any of my spiritual gifts are? If I do, are they in operation toward others in a way that doesn’t bring accolades to me, but praise to God?^[3]

As we consider these things and the commands God has given us concerning them, we can each walk worthy with Jesus, in His power, in His grace, strong in the Lord together.