ONE-ANOTHERING

 
“Let us think of ways to MOTIVATE ONE ANOTHER
to outbursts of love and good works”
(Hebrews 10:24 NLT).

Family life is togetherness. Church life is togetherness. It is also one-anothering.
 
As the curve of the current virus is flattening and our president seeks to get the nation’s economy fueled again, we should also see churches opening. In fact, President Trump gave a proclamation on Friday 22nd May that “Church is Essential” and encouraged churches to reopen Sunday 24th. Sadly, many churches are still closed. They still seem to be paralyzed with fear and yet the current statistics state that the percentage of deaths from this virus are only 0.03% of the population. There is nothing to fear so why are Christians continuing to hide in their homes?
 
This last week hundreds of doctors wrote to President Trump pleading with him to end the coronavirus shutdown and stating it was a “mass casualty incident.” Suicide hotlines have increased 600%. Liquor sales have increased 300 – 600%. God never intended us to hide away in our homes. He knows we need each other. We need each other in our families. We need the extended fellowship of families in the church.
 
Zoom and online meetings are great. They reach out to many people. But they are not the LIFE of the church. We cannot really do church life without being with one another. God knew that we would need to be reminded about this. He is so concerned about our being built up together that He has given us 31 commands to do to one another. That’s one for every day of the month!
 
Many of the following you need to do in person when you meet together.
 
1.    ACCEPT one another (Romans 15:7 HCSB).
2.    BEAR one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2 and Colossians 3;13). The Amplified Version states: “Bearing graciously with one another.”
3.    BLESS one another (Matthew 5:44 and 1 Peter 3:9).
4.    CARE for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25).
5.    COMFORT one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
6.    Have COMPASSION on one another (1 Peter 3:8).
7.    CONFESS YOUR FAULTS one to another (James 5:16).
8.    CONSIDER one another (Hebrews 10:24 NKJV).
9.    ENCOURAGE one another (Hebrews 3:13 and 10:24).
10.  EDIFY one another (Romans 14:19; 15:1-3; 2 Corinthians 12:19; and 1 Thessalonians 5:11).
11.  ESTEEM AND DELIGHT in one another (Psalm 16:2-3 and Philippians 2:3).
12.  FELLOWSHIP with one another (Malachi 3:16 and 1 John 1:7).
13.  FORBEAR with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:13).
14.  FORGIVE one another (Matthew 6:14, 15; 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:13). The Amplified Version states: “Willingly forgiving each other.”
15.  Live in HARMONY with one another (Romans 15:5 TLB and RSV).
16.  HELP one another with your gifts and abilities (1 Peter 4:10 (GNB) and Hebrews 10:24).
17.  HONOR and PREFER one another (Romans 12:10 and Philippians 2:3, 4).
18.  Show HUMILITY to one another (Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3; and 1 Peter 3:8 (all GNB).
19.  Practice HOSPITALITY to one another (Acts 2:41-47; Romans 12:13; and 1 Peter 4:9).
20.  Be KIND to one another (Romans 12:10; Ephesians 4:32; and Colossians 3:12).
21.  LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER’S INTERESTS, not just your own (Philippians 2:4 (GNB) and 1 Corinthians 10:24.
22.  LOVE one another (John 13:34; 15:12; 17:26; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 3:8; 4:8; 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11, 12; and 2 John 1:5.
23.  Have PEACE with one another (Mark 9:50).
24.  PRAY for one another (1 Samuel 12:23; Romans 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:3; and James 5:16).
25.  SERVE one another (Matthew 20:26-28; Galatians 5:13; and 1 Peter 4:10). Wash one another’s feet which is symbolic of serving one another, no matter how servile the task (John 13:14-17).
26.  SING to one another (Ephesians 5:19).
27.  STIR UP one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24 AMPC, ESV, Moffat, RSV).
28.  SUBMIT to one another (Ephesians 5:21 and 1 Peter 5:5).
29.  TEACH AND ADMONISH one another (Romans 15:14 and Colossians 3:16).
30.  Be TENDERHEARTED to one another (Ephesians 4:32).
31.  THINK MORE HIGHLY of one another than you do of yourselves (Philippians 2:3 AMP).
 
Would you like to be stirred up even more by some other translations of Hebrews 10:24?
 
“STIMULATE one another to love and good deeds.” (Beck, MLB, NASB, TBV, and Williams).
 
“LET US OUTDO each other in being helpful and kind to each other.” (TLB).
          
“SPUR ONE ANOTHER ON toward love and good deeds.” (CJB and NET).
           
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
 
PRAYER:

“Dear Father, Thank You for showing us how You want me to serve my family and others around me. Please help me to think of others rather than always thinking of myself. Please help me to look out for the interests of others, not just my own. Help me to live beyond myself, laying down my life, and serving others. Amen.”
 
AFFIRMATION:

Yes, others, Lord, yes, others, Let this my motto be; Help me to live for others, That I may live like Thee.
~ Charles D. Meigs