What is a healthy church? What makes a church a dynamic witness in the world?
The answer to these questions can be found in the New Testament exhortations regarding what believers are to do for one another. The body of Christ will never become a growing and dynamic community reflecting Christ’s love unless “each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16).
Throughout the New Testament, especially in the epistles, God uses the words “one another” or “each other” to explain the mutual responsibilities of fellow believers. In no instance are these qualified, such as “if you feel like it,” or “if it’s convenient,” or “if it fits your personality.” They are commands. I’ve counted 32 of them. However, I only want to mention 4 today. These are four actions you are commanded to do for other Christians.
Love One Another
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)
As followers of Christ, we are to love one another based on Christ’s sacrificial love for us. This type of love not only brings unbelievers to Christ, it will also keep believers strong and united together in a world hostile to God. Jesus was a living example of God’s love, as we are to be living examples of Jesus’ love.
Love is not simply warm feelings for other believers. It is an attitude that reveals itself in action. We love others as Jesus loves us by helping when it’s not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others’ good rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of love is hard to do. That is why unbelievers take notice when you do it. You are not normal. It is a new kind of love. It comes from God.
Pray for One Another
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)
It is not God’s plan that His people be alone. Members of Christ’s body should be able to count on others for support and prayer, especially when they are sick or suffering.
Our prayer for others is effective if the person who is praying is righteous. The person is not sinless, but he or she has confessed known sins to God and is completely committed to Him and trying to do His will. Again, we can say that the righteous person gets what he or she wants in prayer because he wants what God wants.
The Christian’s most powerful resource is communication with God through prayer. It is the instrument of healing and forgiveness and is a mighty weapon for spiritual warfare. The results are often greater than we thought were possible.
Care for One Another
“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” (1 Corinthians 12:25)
God’s desire is harmony among the members of His church (see also 1 Corinthians 1:10). Such harmony happens only when all the members – the weak and the strong, the loud and the quiet, the up-front and the behind-the-scenes – use their gifts, appreciate one another, and care for each other equally. Such caring is demonstrated as they share in one another’s joys and sorrows (see verse 26).
As with the physical, human body, one part’s suffering causes every part to suffer. When the head aches, the whole body suffers. When a thumb is hit with a hammer, the whole body knows it. In the body of believers, therefore, if one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it. No one in a church should suffer alone.
Serve One Another
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
Christians have received freedom and liberty in Christ. However, there is a difference between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom to sin is no freedom at all. It enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own evil desires. When Paul uses the word “flesh,” it is not a reference to the body, but to the sinful nature that attempts to use our bodies to serve sin. People who are slaves to sin are not free to live righteous lives. Believers, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin because they are free to do right and glorify God by serving others.
We have choices every day. Will we serve ourselves or serve others? Could you imagine what it might be like if there were a church full of people who served each other? Imagine all the love and sacrificial service. All the needs would be met. Relationships would be built. No egos, no tantrums, no lectures. Only love.
How have you been a giver or receiver of the “one another” relationship of true Christianity?