Living by Faith and Growing in Grace: The Art of Christian Relation Building As Seen Through the One Another’s

Togetherness can be defined as a feeling of satisfaction in being united with other people for a specifific purpose. Simply being in close physical proximity with a crowd of people does not create that feeling of togetherness. A spirit of unity that results when minds are in agreement creates togetherness.

Togetherness has some practical benefifits over being alone, and this is true in many situations: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-13).

The question then arises how do we create, develop, and sustain this togetherness in our marriage, home, and church? People, created in the image of God, are made for relationships. While the word “relationship” does not appear as a word in the translations of the Bible, the concept of “one another” is repeated numerous times throughout the New Testament. Since sin entered the world, the way people relate to each other is often corrupted. Thankfully the Bible has a lot to say about how to build God-honoring relationships with one another.

1. Being devoted to One Another in Brotherly Love (Matthew 22:36-40)
   1. Defining this love. (1 Corinthians 13:3-8; 1 John 4:7,8)
   2. Showing honor. (Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 2:17)
   3. Living in harmony. (Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10)
   4. Do not provoke or envy. (Galatians 5:25,26; Proverbs 14:30)
2. Strive to be Kind to One Another (Ephesians 4:32)
   1. Bear one another’s burden. (Galatians 6:2; Acts 11:27-30)
   2. Speak truthfully to one another. (Ephesians 4:14,15; Ephesians 4:25)
   3. Determine to forgive one another. (Colossians 3:13; Luke 17:3,4)
   4. Seek to comfort one another. (2 Corinthians 1:5; Matthew 25:36-40)
3. Learn to Serve One Another (1 Peter 4:10)a
   1. Make it a point to pray for one another. (I Timothy 2:1; James 5:16)
   2. Desire fellowship with one another. (1 John 1:7; Acts 2:42)
   3. Learn to make mutual exhortation a goal. (Hebrews 10:24; I Corinthians 9:25)
   4. Instruct one another. (Romans 15:14; Proverbs 4:4)

Treating others as we would be treated means we must be willing to set aside our own preferences, rights, and desires in order to serve those in our lives. When our focus is on treating others as Jesus would, we don’t need a hundred specific laws telling us not to murder, steal, abuse, or lie. A heart filled with the love of God would never treat others that way. When the heart is right, right actions will follow (Matthew 15:19; 1 Peter 1:22).