“One Another” Christianity

by Mike Demory

MOST congregations are focused upon their numerical growth, which is most often done by offering those things that will draw sheep from other flocks, instead of seeking and converting the lost. However, before we can truly succeed our thinking must be balanced, which requires our interests lie not only in quantity, but in quality as well. The spiritual health of the Lord’s church should be foremost upon the minds of every member. Paul said, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love” (Eph. 4:15-16).

Notice if you will Paul’s analogy of the church as a body. A living, breathing organism in which each member (every joint) contributes to the growth of the “whole body.” “One Another” Christianity is founded upon the premise of unity (fitly joined together). Every member doing his or her part is not optional, it is commanded! “So we, being many, are ONE body in Christ, and every one members one of another”  - “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom. 12:5; 14:7-8).

The quality of spiritual health in any given congregation of the Lord’s church will determine to what extent “one another” Christianity is understood as well as applied. Brother David Lipscomb wrote:

“the welfare and development of the whole body is dependent upon the proper working of each and every member. In the human body there can be no proxy work. One member cannot do the work of all or any other member without injury to the other members and to the whole body. It is even so in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ.

Paul said that we are “members one of another,” which stresses not only unity in doctrine, work and love (effectual working), but also a brotherly bond. Using the analogy of the human body, Paul said, “…the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of  you” (1 Cor. 12:21). Every member of Christ’s body is of utmost importance in quantity as well as quality of the church. No member should ever feel that he or she is more important than any other member, nor should brethren feel they are less honorable or significant. Peter reminds us, “above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8). The word “fervent” denotes, “to stretch or strain intently, strenuously; it carries the idea of not relaxing in effort.”

“One another” Christianity demands that we not relax in our love one for another or in our service to God. Remember what John says about our love for God, “…whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected:” (1 Jn. 2:5). How are we to keep His word? First of all by loving God so much that we do not even have to consider whether we will or will not, because serving Him will be automatic. Secondly, as members one of another, we will bear the burdens of our brethren because our love for all brethren dictates it. “Be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded :not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9). Peter warns that we must maintain self-control and humility if we are inherit eternal life. We will only render evil and reviling when our love for others is relaxed. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22).

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.” (1 John 3:14). “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.” (2 Thess 3:13). Over and over again the Scriptures admonish us to be mindful of the quality of our spiritual health. Only when we begin working to increase the quality of our spirituality, will God allow our quantity to increase. Keep in mind that the deceit of the devil can cause us to look at the unscriptural growth of others as God’s increase, when it is only the expansion of the god of this world.

When Christians strive to be true members one of another, they will put God’s will first at all times, they will actively look for every opportunity to help others and to serve God. Being fitly joined together unfortunately is not the make up of most congregations. Rather they are disjoined and even dismembered. A majority of the  members being wrapped up in their own worldly pursuits. No concern for the lost, the erring, the occasional member or the needs of everyone, not just those we like.

Brethren, we need “one another” Christianity! We need to get serious about it – now – fervently! Otherwise our love for God will never be perfected, nor will we find blessing in the promised inheritance of all who have truly passed out of death into life. The whole body depends upon it!