A SPIRITUAL FAMILY THAT UNDERSTANDS ONE ANOTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.      In a previous lesson, we have looked at “The Spiritual Family.”

 

B.      We have also studied the fact that we are to love one another as members of the family of God (John 13:34; I Pet 1:22).

 

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another…See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.

 

1.      Both of these verses use the words “one another.”

2.      In the Greek language, one another is expressed by one word.

3.      The words, “one another,” indicate a mutual obligation or a reciprocal responsibility.

a.      I am to love you.  You are to love me.

b.      Example:  A seesaw

 

          

 

C.      The words, “one another,” are not just applied to love in the New Testament.  There are numerous duties and obligations that we are to share among ourselves in the family of God.

 

D.     Let’s look at some of these responsibilities in this lesson.  The title for this lesson is:  “A Spiritual Family that Understands Its Mutual Responsibilities.”

 

I.                    WE ARE TO HONOR ONE ANOTHER

 

A.      We are to do this in the manner in which we greet each other.

1.      Four times in the New Testament, there is the authorization to greet one another with a holy kiss (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Pet. 5:14).

 

Greet one another with a kiss of charity…

 

a.      A greeting acknowledges another’s presence.

1)      I see that you are here.

2)      I am glad that you are here.

b.      This greeting is supposed to manifest love for the individual.

2.      Every Christian needs to learn how to greet and give affection to his brothers and sisters in Christ.

a.      Don’t just sit down before the worship and walk out after the worship.  Go around and greet your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

b.      Argument:  That’s not me.  I am not comfortable doing that.

Answer:  So.  God commands you to greet your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Get out of your comfort zone.  Give honor to your brethren by greeting them.

 

B.      We show honor for our brethren by preferring them over ourselves.

1.      Two verses:

a.      Romans 12:10

 

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

 

b.      Philippians 2:3-4

 

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 

2.      My wishes, my opinions, my desires, my preferences do not have to be the ones chosen every time.  It is okay if the wishes and opinions and desires of others come before mine.

a.      I want blue paint; they want gray.  Gray is fine.

b.      I want a catered lunch; they want potluck.  Potluck is fine.

c.       I want the event at 4:00 p.m.; they want it at 6:00 p.m.  6:00 p.m. is fine.

3.      Some might think that this obligation always puts one at the mercy of his brothers and sisters in Christ.  Not so.  Remember, this is a mutual obligation.  They should be preferring your ideas and wishes to theirs.

 

II.                  WE ARE TO HAVE HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER

 

A.      The Lord wants us to be at peace with each other (Mark 9:50b).

 

…Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

 

1.      One side of peace involves the absence of strife and conflict.

2.      The other side of peace involves unity and tranquility.

3.      NOTE:  It is possible to have the first element of peace without having the second. 

a.      Example:  I don’t fight with you, but I don’t really want to be around you.

b.      This is not true peace among brethren.

c.       Sometimes this is out of our hands.  We desire the peace, but the other party refuses to do their part (Rom. 12:18).

 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 

B.      The Lord wants us to be of the same mind (Rom. 12:16a).

 

Be of the same mind one toward another…

 

1.      Same:  identical, agreeing in kind

2.      Mind:  to have understanding, one’s views on subjects, one thoughts

3.      Amos 3:3

 

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

 

4.      Some will argue that we do not agree on every point found within the Scripture. 

Answer:  We have to agree on things that are doctrinal and things that are matters of option, judgment, or opinion.

a.      Baptism’s being essential to salvation would be a doctrinal matter.

b.      The date of the book of Revelation would be a matter of option.

 

C.      In order for there to be harmony, we must also be able to forbear one another (Eph. 4:2).

 

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.

 

1.      Forbear means “to hold one’s self up against.”  It also means “to put up with.”

2.      All of us have our personalities, our habits, our quirks, and our shortcomings that can sometimes make it difficult for others to endure us.

a.      Loud and obnoxious

b.      Constantly desiring affirmation

c.       A braggart

d.      A person who must always be in charge

e.      An individual who is a micromanager

f.        One who talks too much

g.      A person who has personal complaints

h.      An individual who is habitually negative

i.        A person who does not understand boundaries and personal space

 

III.                WE ARE TO HELP ONE ANOTHER

 

A.      Help involves aid and assistance that makes things easier for an individual.

1.      This assistance comes from a trait that all Christians need to develop, that is, compassion.

2.      Compassion is the ability to suffer with others.

3.      1 Peter 3:8

 

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.

 

B.      There are numerous verses that encourage us to help or render assistance to each other.

1.      Galatians 5:13

 

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

 

2.      Galatians 6:2

 

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

 

3.      Hebrews 10:24

 

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.

 

C.      Two thoughts:

1.      In order to help one another, we need to know the struggles, problems, and difficulties our brothers and sisters are facing.

2.      In order to assist one another, we must make ourselves available to each other.  NOTE:  We must become the “Good Samaritans” of our day.  He did not pass by on the other side.  He stopped and took the time to assist.

 

IV.               WE ARE TO HEAL ONE ANOTHER

 

A.      Members of the church often find themselves broken, suffering, grieving, and in sorrow:  sin, sickness, death, betrayal, physical losses, relationship issues. the uncertainties of life, a long series of trying events.

 

B.      Forms of healing:

1.      Healing can come in the form of comfort (1 Thess. 5:18).

 

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

2.      Healing can come in the form of forgiveness (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).

 

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

 

3.      Healing can come in the form of prayer (James 5:16).

 

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

V.                 DO NOT HAMPER OR HARM ONE ANOTHER

 

A.      There are several verses in the New Testament that involve the idea of not doing things to one another. 

 

B.      Again, let’s briefly list some of the passages.

1.      John 6:43

 

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

 

a.      The word “yourselves” is the Greek word translated “one another” elsewhere.

b.      The term “murmur” means “to grumble.”

c.       Philippians 2:14

 

Do all things without murmuring and disputings.

 

2.      Romans 14:13

 

Let us not therefore judge one another any more:  but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

 

3.      Galatians 5:15

 

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

 

4.      Galatians 5:26

 

Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

5.      Colossians 3:9

 

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.      We have only touched the surface of our one another responsibilities. 

 

B.      Two points:

1.      In a faithful Christian family, most family members understand the need to take their obligations seriously.  Responsibilities should be taken just as seriously in the family of God.

2.      Remember, these are mutual obligations. 

a.      There are times when we hold our brethren highly accountable regarding these obligations, especially if they do not fulfill them.

b.      But, we do not necessarily fulfill our responsibilities to our brethren.

 

C.      Description of the “one another” passages of the Bible.

1.      They represent the heart of the Bible.

2.      They express different aspect of Jesus’ command to love one another.

3.      They show us what is means for people to be soul-mates who are “deep-spirited friends” (www.soulshepherding.org, “One Anothers in Scripture,” Bill Gaultiere). 

4.      These descriptions might not be perfect. 

a.      But, God’s children should never underestimate the responsibilities that we have one to another.

b.      To be followers of Jesus, we must perform these actions on one another’s behalf.