Experience One Another
Expectations: Be Like Christ
Experience One Another
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20 NLT)
[This continuing series of Marriages that Minister is currently exploring expectations within marriage.]
Throughout Scripture we find directions as to how Spirit-led followers should interact with one another. The multiplicity of “one another” passages teaches us how to live as Christ lived. This continuing series elaborates on a wide range of One Anothers to guide conduct within marriage.
Be Subject to Another
Experiencing God’s good pleasure within His redemptive process requires vulnerability to those He uses as tools in our lives. While we resist assistance, intimacy necessitates submission to one another. Submitting in a manner that is good in God’s sight is foreign to our sinful nature. Holy Spirit enabling is required for personal empowerment. To be subject to another is to voluntarily give in with cooperation while assuming responsibility for carrying a burden.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph. 5:21 NIV)
Accept One Another
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Rom. 15:7 NIV)
Praise flows forth from experiencing relationships because Christ’s work within is perfected by sharing. When we grant access to our heart, we benefit our spouse by receiving them with welcome arms wide open.
Give Preference to One Another
When we give preference to one another, we eagerly take delight in leading to show honor and display esteem. While Christ is directing the One Anothers to the church body, as a picture of Christ and His relationship with the church, a marital relationship displays an intensely concentrated version of the One Anothers. Because proximity creates demands and taxation, how much more should our marriage evidence the blessings designed within marriage.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. (Rom. 12:10 NASB)
What is enjoyed in communion with Christ is expressed in union with others. When our established identity leads us to embrace intimacy, we encourage our spouse to encounter a relevant relationship in triunity. Together we experience God’s good pleasure while painting a portrait of Christ and His relationship with His Bride.
Insight Journal
❏ How are you doing with each of these expectations?
Be subject to another
Meets expectationsExceeds expectationsImprovement needed
Accept one another
Meets expectationsExceeds expectationsImprovement needed
Give preference to one another
Meets expectationsExceeds expectationsImprovement needed
Other posts in the One Another series:
Exposure to One Anothers
Enlighten One Another
Enrich One Another
Encourage One Another
Encounter One Another
(excerpts from Marriages that Minister by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)
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