By Zachary Teasley
Currently, we live in a self-serviette society which is motivated by, if I do something, any activity at all, “what’s in it for me,” and how will I appear or look in society’s or the public eye and how will this action benefit me. Conversely, in the life of a christian, we should be displaying an unselfish and genuine attitude which is proven by us actively serving and looking out for one another especially those inside of the Body of Christ but outside of the Body of Christ as well. Gal 6:9-10, tells us, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
This brings me to my first point which is we must serve one another, Jesus makes this point abundantly clear in Mark 10:35-45, “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; “but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” The other 10 disciples were outraged by this request of James and John, but Jesus diffused their anger. Jesus Christ demonstrated what it means to serve when He, the teacher or Master humbles Himself and washes the disciples’ feet. See John 13:3-16. Please keep in mind that all of these aspects of one another need to become a natural part of our character and actions, and as we discuss the different aspects of one another they are not listed in an order of precedence. The second one another is that we should love one another. John 13:34-35, tell us, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, If you have love for one another.” Again, the greatest example of loving one another is Christ, see Phil 2:5-10. The Apostle John reminds us we have a problem if we say we love God and hate our brother, please read 1 John 4:20-21. God further explains how love is supposed to act while serving God and by ministering to the saints, always ask yourselves, what is my motivation for doing this work or action. How many of us have helped someone out (took care of a need of a person) and never told anyone else what we did? Luke 6:32-38 says “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
The third one another is so very hard for us human beings (you and me) to do and that is to forgive one another. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do!” Who said that? Christ Jesus did while he was painfully hanging on the cross, see Luke 23:34. In Eph 4:32, God says “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you.” Another very vivid and heartfelt example of forgiveness is our Brother in Christ Stephen forgiving his killers as he was being stoned to death, in Acts 7:54-60, particularly verses 59-60, “And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, Lord do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” We must follow Stephen’s example and first and foremost Jesus Christ who had this forgiving disposition even before any wrong doing was finished against them—truly an extraordinary mindset that we can exhibit as well.
Our fourth but not least one another action that we need to perform is bearing with one another. This act deals with us tolerating one another not condoning the sin but helping one another to avoid sin, evil behavior, and repenting of any transgressions we are prone to commit. Bearing one another requires a great deal of long-suffering, patience, and gentleness, as explained in scripture. Eph 4:1-2, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love.” Also, James 4:11 tells us not to speak evil of one another. We need to be careful not to mumble and grumble to one another about something our fellow brother is doing but we need to have the courage to go to that brother or sister and discuss the matter privately with them first and if necessary take someone else to be a mediator between the two of you, see Matt 18:15-17.
Our fifth and final one another is also a very critical one which involves not esteeming any brother or sister higher than any other, so the fifth one another is caring for one another. Rom 12:4-5, establishes this point very well, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” We are definitely not the same. Please think about the smallest member or part of your body? What would happen to your body if it was abruptly removed from your body? How would you feel? Could you function? The smaller members of your physical body and in the Body of Christ are equally as important as the larger parts or members. So, caring for our members, for one another will lead to many thoughtful actions, see Phil 2:1-4.