John 13:35 (NLT) “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
A Christ-like community
Jesus, on the night He was betrayed spoke these words, John 13:34-35 (MSG), “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples – when they see the love you have for each other.”
The phrase ‘one another’ is derived from the Greek word “allelon” that means one another or each other; mutually, reciprocally.
More than 50 times in the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles tell us to feel, say, or do something to one another. They are specific mandates. These commandments teach us how, and how not, to relate to one another. Obedience to them is imperative. They form the basis for all true Christian community and according to Jesus has a direct impact on our witness to the world (John 13:35).
A Christ-like community
The constant use of this phrase in the New Testament reveals to us the foundation and building blocks for genuine Christian community. It provides a detailed outline for successful or healthy relationships in the body of Christ.
The ‘one another’ statements in the Bible are a blueprint for thriving relationships.
The foundation is ‘love another’. Over and over, we are instructed to love one another. At times, this is easier said than done. The other ‘one another’ commands show us what this Christian love should look like. It is a way to demonstrate the love of Christ to the world.
The New Testament ‘one another’ statements characterize a community reflecting the image of Jesus Christ.
The word “allelon” also means each other, mutually or reciprocally. In essence, it requires that when one person does one of these directives to another person, that person should do it back to that person. The “allelon” directives often stand in stark contrast to modern values. We live in a culture that highly values independence and self-centredness. We live in a world that celebrates individualism.
The New Testament Epistles contain most of the ‘one another’ commands. In them, ‘one another’ refers to fellow believers. Of course, we should also strive to apply the same to unbelievers.
What one another looks like
The “allelon” commandments are not a list of warm, fuzzy feelings. They call us to hard work. For example, making allowances for each other’s faults and forgiving those that hurt us. In Colossians 3:13 (NLT), Paul writes, “make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” In Ephesians 4:32 (NLT), he tells us, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Forgiving each other is the second most mentioned ‘one another’ instruction in the New Testament.
We need to love and accept each other despite our differences.
The ‘one another’ statements also remind us of our interdependence as members of Christ’s body. Jesus calls the collective church his bride, not just me or you. Sometimes we forget that God always meant for us to do Christian life together. In 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (NLT), Paul reminds us, “this makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honoured, all the parts are glad.” In Galatians 6:2 (NLT), he urges us to “share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
Several ‘one another’ instructions have to do with controlling our emotions. We’re told to be patient with one another, accept each other, live in peace with each other. We are warned not to grumble about one another, but to be tolerant, clothing ourselves with humility towards one another. We should care and respect for one another. Do good to one another. In essence, live in harmony with each other.
‘One another’ emphasizes the importance of mutual relationships and actions within a community of faith.
And then there is the grand, underlying, most-repeated ‘one another’ instruction, love one another. Colossians 3:14 (NLT) “above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Whether it’s getting along with our family of believers or our own family, we may not like everyone, but we can love them and seek the best for them. Rather than a feeling, the love we should have for one another is a lifestyle and a choice. It comes down to what Jesus said was the golden rule. Matthew 7:12 (NLT) “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Try as we may, we cannot do this in our own strength. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we do this.
Perhaps one of the most powerful ‘one another’ passages is found in Philippians 2:3-4. (AMP) “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” This is a radical call to selflessness, to considering others’ needs more important than our own.
We cannot do it in our own strength
Doing good and doing no harm are good moral teachings. Without a relationship to God, they lack the grounding to be sustainable; they lack the power to be transformative. Doing good and doing no harm become transformative and sustainable when rooted in love of God.
John Wesley (1703–1791)
As we seek to live out the “allelon” commands we must remember that we cannot do it in our own strength. We need the power of the Holy Spirit. He alone can transform our selfish hearts and enable us to love as Christ loved. We should spend time in the truth of God’s Word, allowing it to renew our minds and shape our thoughts and priorities. We need to discard our old thought garments and put on the new garments of the mind of Christ.
We also need the encouragement and accountability of fellow believers, who can spur us on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). God is a God of relationships. He loves putting people together for His glory and for their mutual benefit. In fact, it is something we see throughout the Bible. Remember when Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms when he no longer had the strength to do it himself? Consider Naomi and Ruth helping one another. Then there were David and Jonathan, Paul and Timothy, Barnabas, Phoebe, Silas, Lydia, Aquila, Priscilla, Philemon, Onesimus, to name a few.
Even when Jesus walked this earth, He didn’t do it alone. God put Him together with an inner circle of friends, with disciples, as well as women and men who supported his ministry with their own means and travelled with Him. We were created for community. Let us be there for one another.
Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to love others with the love of Christ. May I, reflect the image of the Lord Jesus Christ towards others. In Jesus name, Amen.
