Serving one another

Serving one another is the most central matter, to the people who are being built together by Jesus Christ to be his church, his body. No one lives for self or one’s own interests for we have been saved to serve. In the kingdom of God, this is the greatest of all: to be the servant of all!

The Church is not a building where we take part in meetings but Christian fellowship is the life we live with one another. In the biblical understanding of the word, the Church is not a building or arrangements or programmes, but living people who are bound together in a common life and work towards a common goal.

In the Bible, the normal Christian life is always described in terms of attitudes and actions in relation to other people. Jesus demonstrated this in his own life. He did not live for himself but gave his life for us. He has given us an example. We are intended to do for others as he has done for us.

Now follows a list of ways we can be one another’s «limbs» and servants in Christian fellowship. These attitudes should also characterise our contact with non-Christians. If we live in accordance with these exhortations we shall truly be light and salt in the world.

Do not take advantage of each other. (Lev. 25:14)

Speak the truth to each other. (Zech. 8:16)

Do not plot evil against your neighbour. (Zech. 8:17)

Be at peace with each other. (Mark 9:50)

Show faithfulness when dealing with the property of others. (Luke 16:12)

Love one another (John 13:34-35; Rom. 12:10; 13:8; 1 John 3:11)

Be one another’s limbs. (Rom. 12:5)

Honour one another. (Rom. 12:10)

Share with one another. (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:16)

Live in harmony with one another. (Rom. 12:16)

Do not judge one another. (Rom. 14:13)

Build one another up. (Rom. 14:19)

Be in agreement with one another. (Rom. 15:6)

Receive and accept one another. (Rom.15:7)

Instruct one another. (Rom. 15:14)

Do not take one another to court. (1 Cor. 6:1-8)

Wait for one another (1 Cor. 11:33)

Have concern for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)

Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)

Do not bite and devour one another (Gal. 5:15)

Do not destroy one another (Gal. 5:15)

Do not provoke to envy (Gal. 5:26)

Carry each other’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)

Be patient and bear with one another (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13)

Do not be false or untruthful with one another (Eph. 4:25)

Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32; 1.Thess. 5:15)

Be compassionate to one another (Eph. 4:32)

Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13)

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Eph.5:19)

Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21)

Consider others better than yourselves (Phil. 2:3)

Look to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4)

Do not lie to each other (Col. 3:9)

Teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:16)

Encourage one another daily (1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3:13; 10:25)

Be considerate to one another (Heb. 10:24)

Spur one another on to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24)

Do not give up meeting together (Heb. 10:25)

Do not slander one another (Jam. 4:11)

Do not grumble against each other (Jam. 5:9)

Confess your sins to one another (Jam. 5:16)

Pray for one another (Jam. 5:16)

Be hospitable to each other (1 Pet. 4:9)

Use your gifts to serve others (1 Pet. 4:10)

Clothe yourselves in humility towards one another (1 Pet. 5:5)

Wash one another’s feet (John 13:14)

Greet one another with a holy kiss (Rom. 16:16)

(The practice of that time with foot washing and a kiss of greeting do not need to be copied. We must find natural ways of expressing the servant attitude and joy over seeing one another that were represented by these customs.)

Exercise:

Look over the above list once more!

Which of the things are you good at practising?

Which of the things do you need to start practising?

In what way do you take responsibility for your own growth? Which talents will you develop? What goals do you have for your spiritual development?

Continue to memorise and add this Bible verse:

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. (1.Pet. 4:10)