Encounter One Another with God’s Love

When you encounter one another, do you exhibit God’s love? God’s love is comforting, and we should have the same care for one another as our compassionate God demonstrates to us. This also includes forgiving one another.

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

Galatians 2:20 NLT

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, but these One Anothers also apply to all relationships.

Comfort One Another

Encountering intimacy within marriage deepens the unity through understanding. The stressors of life are shared when we comfort one another. Side by side, one lifts the other through life and death situations with the enabling power of Christ.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 NKJV

Have the Same Care One for Another

We are to have the same care one for another. While seeking the best interest of all, we are to be involved without prejudice or partiality. Unfortunately, sometimes we offer so much care for those outside our family that our beloved suffers neglect. The tenuous balance requires connection and direction from God’s Holy Spirit.

But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

1 Corinthians 12:24–25 ESV

Forgive One Another

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

In all encounters where expectations are violated, forgiveness is essential. Removing ourselves from seeking satisfaction and allowing Christ to be responsible for collecting all debts due frees us to live in deeper intimacy with Christ and one another. Read more about forgiveness in the post How to forgive by resigning the God job.

When you encounter one another, do you exhibit God’s love? God is comforting, compassionate, and forgiving. How about you?

Insight Journal

How are you doing with each of these expectations?

• Comfort one another
  • Meets expectations
  • Exceeds expectations
  • Improvement needed
  
  
• Have the same care one for another
  • Meets expectations
  • Exceeds expectations
  • Improvement needed
  
  
• Forgive one another
  • Meets expectations
  • Exceeds expectations
  • Improvement needed

Other posts in the One Another series:

• How to Love One Another in Marriage
• Enlighten One Another about God’s Truth
• Enrich One Another with God’s Truth
• Encourage One Another with God’s Truth
• Experience One Another through God’s Love
• Enable One Another to Find God’s Will
• Empower One Another with God’s Truth
• Engage One Another with Hospitality

Excerpts from Marriages that Minister by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis. Available from your favorite book retailers, including Amazon and Redemption Press. (As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Would you like a more in-depth study of Marriages that Minister? Enroll now in our Teachable Marriages that Minister class.

Read more about Marriages that Minister: A Portrait of Christ and His Bride.

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