One Another - #1

This blog has lain dormant due to lack of inspiration and the engulfing terror of other priorities. But recently, the Lord has given me time and vision for what to do next. So, I'm riding The Road again, and whoever would like to join me is quite welcome.

I have heard multiple challenges about the "one-another" passages in the Epistles. Examining them lately, I noticed four broad categories: the facts of our relationship to each other, how we should think about one another, what we should do in relationship to one another, and what we should not do. In the seven weeks between now and graduation, I would like to explore those four categories.

For instance, our Union.

I put four verses in this category: 1 Corinthians 12:25, Romans 12:5, Ephesians 4:25,  and Romans 15:5. Each reference gives us another facet of what being "members one of another" actually looks like. I Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 explain how God gifted all of us differently so that each person could supply what the other person lacks. As our picture illustrates, God gave Michael the gift of height and Janine the "gift of short" so that they could supply things for each other and for us that we would never be able to take care of without them. Ephesians 4:25 builds off our union to explain lying, not in terms of "thou shalt not," but - in the same way Pastor explained immorality - in terms of being unthinkable since we are members of one another.                                                                                                    
Romans 15:5 challenges us to be of the same mind toward one another. Paul's reference to God as the One "Who gives perseverance and encouragement" tips us off that being of the same mind is hard work. The context has more content than I can develop here; but among many other things, being of the same mind means putting practical thought into our interactions with other Christians - like Michael not sitting in front of Janine at church.

A lot of the challenges these verses mention are things we already do. Praise the Lord, we are not completely fruitless, backward members of the body! Try to keep the three ideas in mind this week, though, and see how the Lord is working out your gifts, honesty, and thoughtfulness as we grow in our relationship to one another.

Rachel Potter