When two believers are friends, the way they relate to one another is different than when a follower of Christ and a pre-Christian are connected relationally. When two believers are friends, the Bible directs the way they relate to one another, and both parties are insistent on following those directives. Each person individually assesses his or her actions via the expectations God outlined and, with wisdom, they hold one another accountable to live them.
Many of these principles and practices are found in the list of “one anothers.” It’s basically a directory of expectations God graciously gave us so we would know how to experience the thrill of doing life together.
Love each other to
- Fulfill God’s law (Romans 13:8)
- Increase our love for one another (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
- Overflow in love for one another (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
- Cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)
Connect with each other in integrity to
- Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)
- Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13)
- Greet one another with healthy touch (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Peter 5:14)
- Wait for one another to break bread (1 Corinthians 11:33)
- Help one another through difficult times (1 Corinthians 12:26)
Serve each other to
- Use our spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10)
- Love, relinquishing our freedom when necessary (Galatians 5:13)
- Show kindness and pursue what is good for one another (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
- Show concern for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)
- Carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
- Show honor as you “wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14)
- Work with one another (1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1)
Teach each other to
- Teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
- Instruct and model Jesus to one another (Romans 15:14)
Encourage each other to
- Encourage one another to avoid deception and live for Christ (Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:25)
- Speak the truth to one another (Ephesians 4:25)
- Lay down our lives for one another (1 John 3:16)
- Spur one another on to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)
Build each other up to
- Strengthen one another in tough times (1 Thessalonians 4:18 and 5:11)
- Share a psalm, a teaching, or a revelation (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Meet each other’s spiritual needs:
- Confess our sins one to another (James 5:16)
- Pray for one another (James 5:16)
Live a life of humility toward each other to
- Honor others above ourselves (Romans 12:10)
- Be in agreement or of the same mind one with each other (2 Corinthians 13:11; Romans 12:16 and 15:5)
- Keep from criticizing or judging one another (Romans 14:13; James 4:11)
- So as not to complain or speak badly of one another (James 5:9)
- Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)
- Be clothed with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5)
Live in harmony with each other:
- Be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2)
- Live in peace one with another (Mark 9:50)
- Accept and welcome one another with hospitality (Romans 15:7; 1 Peter 4:9)
- Glorify God together (Romans 15:6)
These are really very simple yet profound truths. In fact, Jesus summed these up in one sentence: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
Followers of Jesus should live these expectations toward their friends who have not yet followed Christ. But we must remember that a person who has not chosen Christ is much less apt to do so. We can attain many of these attitudes and accomplish many of these expectations only because of the Holy Spirit’s promptings. We cannot expect unbelievers who do not have the person of the Holy Spirit speaking to and through them to carry them out – or feel obliged to even consider them.
