One Anothering

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you”

I’d like to consider what it means to accept each other.

What does accepting one another look like?

It’s no good just saying that we accept each other – it has to be worked out in our lives together with other Christians – in our common unity.

Peter’s withdrawal from fellowship with the gentiles at Antioch was an example of how not to put this accepting one another into practice.

But what is good practice?

Chances are of course that if it’s such an important part of the Christian life there’ll be other references to it in Scripture. 

So I took a look to see what it might mean. And there’s quite a lot.

In fact I came across a book called “Authentic Relationships” where the authors list 22 different new Testament references to dealing with one another in the community of faith. 

They call it 

one anothering

 and they define it as:

To fulfill New Testament Biblical instructions for Christians regarding activities to be done to, for and with one another.

Here’s the list:

• Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
• Love one another (John 13:34)
• Forgive one another ((Ephesians 4:32)
• Bear with one another (Ephesians 4:2)
• Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
• Honour one another (Romans 12:10)
• Greet one another (2 Corinthians 13:12)
• Be hospitable to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
• Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
• Share with one another (Hebrews 13:16)
• Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
• Carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
• Build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
• Encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)
• Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians)
• Stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)
• Instruct one another (Romans 15:14)
• Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
• Pray for one another (James 5:16)
• Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)
• Be of the same mind toward one another (Romans 12:16)
• Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)

When you look at this list I’m sure that you will recognise that a lot of this goes on in your church or fellowship group.

But I’m also pretty certain, as you look at this list, and I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty certain that there’ll be some of this that you can improve on.

Are there people we need to forgive or are we holding a grudge?

Are we hospitable?

Do we share with one another?

Do we encourage one another?

My prayer is that you will take this list and over the coming days and weeks pray about accepting other Christians - about one anothering. 

Not to make you feel guilty.

But to ask the Lord to show you if there is something more that you can do. 

If the answer’s no – then that’s fine – praise God. 

But it may be just one small thing – or there might be something bigger.

Jesus prayed that we might all be one so that the world will know that He had come from God.

Lord, if you want us to do more of these things, more one anothering – then over the coming weeks will you please reveal it to us.      Amen