Whenever people say they can be a Christian without being part of a local church body, they are missing a good portion of what the Bible describes of the accountability and interpersonal involvement in the words, “one another.” Depending upon the translation, you’ll find upwards of 24 times the words “one another” are used in the New Testament. That means that unless you are part of the “one another,” you cannot fulfill what all is required of a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 (ESV) — 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,
Sometimes Christians feel the commands in the New Testament do not carry the weight as those in the Old Testament, such as the Ten Commandments. But wait! A command of God should always be taken seriously, right? On this subject the Lord Jesus Christ commanded:
John 13:34–35 (ESV) — 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 15:11–14 (ESV) — 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
John 15:17 (ESV) — 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
In addition, consider other references to the similar command:
Romans 13:8 (ESV) — 8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
1 Peter 1:22 (ESV) — 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
1 John 3:11 (ESV) — 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:23 (ESV) — 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
1 John 4:7 (ESV) — 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:11–13 (ESV) — 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
2 John 5 (ESV) — 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another.
I trust you get the point that Jesus expects His followers to love one another. If, however, one who claims to be a follower forsakes being identified with other followers or forsakes the assembling with other followers, how can they claim to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, when the church is said to be the body of Christ, carrying out ministry to one another and being a light to the world?
Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) — 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
As members of the body of Christ, the church, there are many other admonitions that include “one another.”
Galatians 5:13 (ESV) — 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) — 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1 Peter 5:5 (ESV) — 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Hebrews 3:13 (ESV) — 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 (ESV) — 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
James 5:16 (ESV) — 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Think about it. The Lord Jesus Christ has established His church to be a demonstration to the world of how true concern and caring should look. He has placed in His word direct commands and admonitions that include the emphasis of “one another” so we do not miss the point. As we are united to the Lord Jesus Christ, we live out the Christian life, not as lone rangers but as members of the body of Christ knit together by the Holy Spirit to do more as members together than we could ever do as individuals.
Please do not take this blessing for granted or lightly. We need each other in the church. When you miss any gathering, a part of the body is missing and the body feels it. You know how your stomach feels when other parts of your body are hurting. The same is true in the church.
Romans 12:5 (ESV) — 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Jesus made this principle very clear in stating that our love for Him is demonstrated in keeping His commandments and His commandments include the consideration of “one another.”
John 14:15 (ESV) — 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out the PowerBreak podcast wherever you download podcasts or from our website: www.bobbrubaker.com.
