Some of us may be too young to remember these popular 1967 lyrics from the Youngbloods:
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
I have no idea if the Youngbloods were followers of Christ, but the sentiment expressed in these famous words seems to capture much of the focus of the one anothers in Scripture: love and unity.
Clearly, this encouragement (or commandment) in the Bible is directed to those in the body of Christ. God uses these passages to provide guidance for how we are to treat each other and live in community.
The one anothers in Scripture are specific and practical. Implementing them requires deliberate thought, action, and time.
As parents, we feel blessed when our own children love each other and behave as friends. How much more must it please our heavenly Father when we do likewise?
Though we direct our acts towards those in the body of Christ, when the one anothers are lived out, they’re evangelical. As Jesus told His disciples (and, by extension, us):
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another.
John 13:35
People are watching us: our children, our unsaved family members, our neighbors. There is perhaps no greater opportunity for our walk to match our talk than in the way we choose to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
As you and I write the Word each day this month, let’s also commit to making every verse a prayer back to God. Let’s ask Him for a specific assignment — someone in particular to love on, be devoted to, stop passing judgment on, accept, instruct, agree with, encourage, serve, bear with, be kind to, be compassionate to, submit to, teach, admonish, spur on, offer hospitality to, or have fellowship with (and that’s just a partial list).
Tertullian, the well-known leader in the 1st-century church, recorded that pagans looked on the lives of early Christians and commented in wonder, “See how they love one another!” Let’s pray for the same observation about a few of us 21st-century believers!
In this week’s devotional video, Laura introduces our February Write the WORD topic: ONE ANOTHER.
Visit our Downloads page today to find your own copy of this month’s free bookmark and optional S.O.A.P. study pages. While you’re there, we hope you’ll check out the other resources available to you. It’s our sincere prayer that they’ll be a blessing in your life!
