May I ask you something a little personal?
How do you feel about your brothers and sisters in Christ? …
All of them …
Now, I know we have our favorites. Our Christian cronies that we feel particularly close to. But how do you feel about the other Christians in your life? I suspect that you have those you like, and those, well …
But God points out that our relationship with other believers is special. And that we are to treat those in God’s family in particular ways that bring Him glory and build up His Church.
For example, consider these verses from the English Standard Version (italics mine):
• Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10).
• Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16).
• Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11).
• Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
• with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).
• … if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive (Colossians 3:13).
• And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)
So, I want to encourage all of us to do a bit of a spiritual exercise, and answer the following questions:
Which Christian brother or sister do I need to:
• Outdo in showing them honor?
• Strive to live in harmony with?
• Comfort?
• Bear their burden?
• Bear with in love?
• Forgive?
• Stir up to love and good works?
And if you are willing to do this, ask God to bring to mind those who would need such things. For they are dearly loved by God, and He is calling you to minister to them. And your relationship with them is special.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21