“Bear ye one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”—Galatians 6:2
The Law of Christ is to love one another. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). Thirteen times this expression is used in the Bible (John 13:34; 15:12; 15:17; Romans 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7; 4:11,12; 2 John 5).
The Law of Christ to love one another is the foundation for something much bigger, and that is God’s One Another Plan, which should be reviewed.
God’s One Another Plan
Christians are to love one another. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). Biblically, love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13. Practically, love is demonstrated by the life of Christ. Love is the foundation of the Christian faith. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall never perish but shall have eternal life” (John 3:16).When Christians build upon the foundation of love, they are free to continue to practice every part of God’s One Another Plan.
Christians are to prefer one another. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Rom. 12:10). The word “preferring” means going before, leading, setting an example. In showing mutual respect and honor, believers are to see how they can honor and promote others.
Christians are to have the same mind, one toward another. “Be of the same mind one toward another” (Rom. 12:16). The way to be of the same mind, is to study the Bible together, and the life of Christ, until we come to a unity of the faith. Doctrine will unite God’s people when they are properly instructed, submitted to the Sovereign, and led by the Spirit.
Christians are not to judge one another. “Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Rom. 14:13).
The prohibition against judging is not an absolute prohibition, for it is impossible not to judge others. Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Children love to cause other children to stumble or fall. When I was a kid, I would watch the way a person walked. When they had their foot off the ground, a little push could send them stumbling. You can try it sometime. Well, adults know how to make other people stumble. We call it “pushing their button.” We know which topics a person is emotional about. Sometimes we will bring up that topic just to get a reaction.
If I am talking to a Presbyterian, all I have to ask is, “What do you believe about the immersion of believers?”
If I am talking to a Church of Christ person, all I have to say is, “I believe in the Biblical doctrine of eternal security.” And, then add, “I am definitely against baptism regeneration.” That will get a reaction every time.
If I want to make an Arminian angry, all I have to say is, “I love the Biblical doctrine of predestination, and the election of the saints.” Then, the fun begins as they spit and stutter against the idea of an elect people to salvation. They refuse to read John 6, or John 17.
As much fun as it might be to get a rouse out of others, Christians are to be more charitable.
The list goes on. You can study each facet of God’s One Another Plan, and resolve to keep each part of God’s plan, for your good, His glory, and the blessing of others.
Christians are to receive one another. “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God” (Rom. 15:7).
Christians are to admonish one another. “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER” (Rom. 15:14).
Christians are to salute one another. “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you” (Rom. 16:16).
Christians are to be courteous. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another” (1 Cor. 11:33).
Christians are not to promote divisions in the body of Christ. “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” 1 Cor. 12:25)
Christians are to serve one another. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13).
Christians are not to be consumed with one another. “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:15).
Christians are to bear each others burdens. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
Christians are not to provoke one another. “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” (Gal. 5:26).
Christians are to forbear one another. “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).
Christians are to forgive one another. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32).
Christians are to submit to one another. “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Eph. 5:21).
Christians are to admonish one another. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16).
Christians are to comfort one another. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18).
Christians are to edify one another. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thess. 5:11).
Christians are to exhort one another daily. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13).
Christians are to be considerate of one another. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” (Heb. 10:24).
Christians are not to speak evil of one another. “Speak no evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge” (James 4:11).
Christians are not to complain about each other. “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9).
Christians are to openly confess their faults to one another. “Confess your faults one to another” (James 5:16).
Christians are to pray for one another. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
Christians are to show hospitality to one another. “Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Peter 4:9).
Christians are to use their spiritual gift for one another. “As every man hath received the gift, EVEN SO MINISTER the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
Christians are to show humility to one another. “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
Christians are to show affection to one another. “Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen” (1 Peter 5:14).
Christians are to walk in the light in order to have fellowship with one another. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
God’s One Another Plan, is a good plan.
