The Heartbeat of “ONE ANOTHER”

December 10, 2023

“So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,  for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 (NRSV)

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  Bear with “one another” and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish “one another” in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Colossians 3:12-17 (NRSV)

 Earlier this year my Pastor stated something in a Bible Study that stuck with me.  He said, as related to dealing with difficult and undesirable people, instead of avoiding them, “We are to love them until they can get to Jesus!” I had to stop and do a self-examination and I found that there are times I have been guilty, and I am sure I have some company. There are days that it is just easy to avoid potentially stressful or undesirable situations and you tell yourself, “I don’t need the drama today.”

 It is easy to consciously or subconsciously stay in our holy huddle with our holy group and never reach out to those who are difficult, different, those who don’t fit in, or we don’t agree with their lifestyle.  They could possibly be hurting emotionally or spiritually and expressing it negatively, and maybe they may need to know Jesus.

The Christian life is meant to be lived in community.  There should not be any lone ranger Believers in the body of Christ. This is why we are told to “not give up meeting together” as noted in Hebrews 10:25. As brothers and sisters in Christ we can encourage “one another”  to “run the race” of faith with endurance. They may even help us see things we otherwise would miss in ourselves, which helps us grow spiritually. They can encourage us to pursue the things of God more strategically, and they hold us accountable to live out what we say we believe.

 Working for years with people with disabilities has truly humbled me. I have a God-given compassion for those who had no say as to how they entered this world, and only for the Grace of God, it could have been you or me. This experience has given me more of a desire to continue to reach out in whatever manner God directs.

I love the Apostle’s Paul writings to the church in Colosse. The Colossians Believers were taught well the Word of God – not by Paul but by Epaphras who possibly founded the Colosse church.  There are 4 lessons for us as Believers in the book of Colossians. The third lesson is the one that spoke to my heart!  “The way we live our lives and treat others is important to God.” I especially love the passage of Scripture chapter 3 where he talks about our new life in Christ.  In verses 3 and 4 – “he says for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.” (NRSV).  He goes on to say, that we have been taken out of the old Adam by baptism; that is, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We have been placed in Christ and now being in Christ we should live out His life and let His fullness be lived out through us. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. If we have any life, it is Christ’s life. When you give your life to Christ in Salvation – It is no longer your life!   When Jesus is LORD of your life, He is sovereign over your mind, body, attitudes, and actions – every aspect of your life!

Our fellowship must honor God and it is only possible when we as Believers in Christ bear with “One Another” in a spirit of LOVE!

The word for “bear” in the original Greek means “to endure something unpleasant or difficult.” Bearing with “one another” implies willingness to endure with other believers, despite differences and frustrations. We are to live in a spirit of humility and treat “one another” with patience and compassion.  Paul goes on to say in verse 11 “In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!” (NRSV)

One thing is for sure, real diverse relationships, especially in a community as well as in the church, will always require forbearance – mercy, self-control, and patience!  It is not just putting up with “one another” or glossing over difficulties while harboring bitterness or allowing sinful behaviors/responses to run rampant.  We are to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace!”

As  Believers have the responsibility to encourage one another daily: “Hebrews 3:12-14  says “Take care, brothers, and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But exhort “one another”every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  For we have become partners of Christ if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.” (NRSV)

God is a Relational God!

Christlikeness is a result of building “one another” up. The community of believers benefits as it

 becomes Relationally stronger.

As Christians, we are called to develop close relationships, walking beside “one another” strengthening each other in the faith, and encouraging continued spiritual growth.

God’s Word Gives Us Clear Instructions!

Matthew 25:40 “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (NRSV)

HEART CHALLENGE:  Loving others well and doing good works is a tangible way to reflect the light of Christ in this world. As members of Christ’s body, “each member belongs to all the others” Paul writes in Romans 12:4-5, For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function,  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. (NRSV) We endure difficulties and unpleasantries with “one another”  because we are all one – parts of the same whole. Proverbs 10:12 reminds us that we bear with “one another”when we forgive when we allow love to cover a multitude of sins.  Galatians 6:1, says,  when we reach out to a brother or sister who is caught in sin and restore that person gently. And of course, Colossians 3:15 again reminds us to “let the peace that comes from Christ” rule in our hearts can we bear with “one another”  and live in unity as we are called to do as members of one body

We must take seriously God’s instructions as to how to treat others. We are to encourage “one another” to love and do good works so God can be glorified and so His love can be made complete in us! 1 John 4:11–12 says, “Since God so loved us, we also ought to love “one another.”  No one has ever seen God; but if we love “one another”, God lives in us, and His love is made complete in us.”

A LOVING HEART: The third chapter of Colossians provides God’s design, a blueprint for how Christians should live their lives, emphasizing virtues, forgiveness, love, peace, gratitude, the study of God’s word, and the importance of doing everything in the name of Jesus Christ. It serves as a guide for Christian conduct and relationships within the community of believers.

FATHER GOD, Thank You for Your Word that gives us clear instructions on how we are to treat “one another” and to live in harmony and peace. Help us to always build “one another”  up by acknowledging another’s gifts, qualities, and service. Help us to take tender loving care of those who are weak and lost, and demonstrate patience with everyone. Father God, whomever you bring across our path, help each of us to build them up with the joy of the Lord, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!