“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord”. Romans 12:10-11
As a Church we are seen by God, not only as His children personally, but also as a body needing one another corporately (Rom 12:4-5). Scripture admonishes us to “exhort one another daily” (Heb 3:13). We are to give consideration to one another, and in doing so, provoke each other to exhibit love and good works.
Before we were born again, our flesh corrupted our relationships, but through our new birth we are given the ability to love one another fervently. However, Satan is ever seeking to get between brothers and sisters in Christ. We must not be ignorant of his devices. Conflicts and disagreements within the body are to be expected, but we should always seek to forbear and forgive, instead of fleeing or fault-finding.
The apostle Paul often put into writing his appreciation of those brothers and sisters that God had brought into his life. (See for example Romans 16:1-16.) Do you appreciate your brothers and sisters in Christ? We are family, and Jesus calls us to prefer one another, love one another, receive one another, and serve one another. If we call Jesus Lord, disobedience to these ‘one another’s’ is not an option!
