NCBC Family Blog

One Another

In Scripture, there are over 59 “one another” verses.  Such as, “Love one another” (John 13:34), “Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10), or ““Carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).  Okay, so the last is not technically “one another”, but in the Greek the same word ἀλλήλων is used.  The concept is, as a Church family, we have a mutual responsibility to support one another.  This is not to be done alone, but in community. 

And quite frankly, though there is a measure of unity which can take place in a corporate gathering, the interaction described in these verses have to take place on a more person level as we encourage and love each other in a more tangible way.

This is where our Group Ministry comes alive and a pivotal part of spiritual health! Within the context of relationships, we come prepared to share the truths from God’s Word, how we put these truths into practice, and what God is doing in our lives.  This means that we need to be consistent, open, and real.  And as we continue to practice these one another’s, we will be the Body of Christ that He has designed us to be! 

The 59 “One Anothers” of the New Testament*

1. “…Be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50)

2. “…Wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

3. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)

4. “…Love one another…” (John 13:34)

5. “…Love one another…” (John 13:35)

6. “…Love one another…” (John 15:12)

7. “…Love one another” (John 15:17)

8. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10)

9. “…Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)

10. “Live in harmony with one another…” (Romans 12:16)

11. “…Love one another…” (Romans 13:8)

12. “…Stop passing judgment on one another.” (Romans 14:13)

13. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you…” (Romans 15:7)

14. “…Instruct one another.” (Romans 15:14)

15. “Greet one another with a holy kiss…” (Romans 16:16)

16. “…When you come together to eat, wait for each other.” (I Cor. 11:33)

17. “…Have equal concern for each other.” (I Corinthians 12:25)

18. “…Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (I Corinthians 16:20)

19. “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (II Corinthians 13:12)

20. “…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

21. “If you keep on biting and devouring each other…you will be destroyed by each other.” 
(Galatians 5:15)

22. “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:26)

23. “Carry each other’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2)

24. “…Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)

25. “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32)

26. “…Forgiving each other…” (Ephesians 4:32)

27. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” (Ephesians 5:19)

28. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21)

29. “…In humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

30. “Do not lie to each other…” (Colossians 3:9)

31. “Bear with each other…” (Colossians 3:13)

32. “…Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.” (Colossians 3:13)

33. “Teach…[one another]” (Colossians 3:16)

34. “…Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)

35. “…Make your love increase and overflow for each other.” (I Thessalonians 3:12)

36. “…Love each other.” (I Thessalonians 4:9)

37. “…Encourage each other…”(I Thessalonians 4:18)

38. “…Encourage each other…” I Thessalonians 5:11)

39. “…Build each other up…” (I Thessalonians 5:11)

40. “Encourage one another daily…” Hebrews 3:13)

41. “…Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)

42. “…Encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)

43. “…Do not slander one another.” (James 4:11)

44. “Don’t grumble against each other…” (James 5:9)

45. “Confess your sins to each other…” (James 5:16)

46. “…Pray for each other.” (James 5:16)

47. “…Love one another deeply, from the heart.” (I Peter 3:8)

48. “…Live in harmony with one another…” (I Peter 3:8)

49. “…Love each other deeply…” (I Peter 4:8)

50. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (I Peter 4:9)

51. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…” (I Peter 4:10)

52. “…Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…”(I Peter 5:5)

53. “Greet one another with a kiss of love.” (I Peter 5:14)

54. “…Love one another.” (I John 3:11)

55. “…Love one another.” (I John 3:23)

56. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:7)

57. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:11)

58. “…Love one another.” (I John 4:12)

59. “…Love one another.” (II John 5)

There's a Monster at the End of this Book

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

One of Benji’s favorite books is “There’s a Monster at the End of this Book” starring furry, lovable Grover. As the pages turn, Grover is stopping the reader to turn to the end as he is afraid of the monster on the pages to come.  With a twist, the monster at the end of the book is himself and he is embarrassed for being so silly. (Sorry if I ruined the ending!)

April has been difficult for our family as we had a lot of page turning.  As we are in the midst of selling our house, we a little more anxious each day as we were getting little attention. And then, the page turned and as we shared Easter Sunday, we had an offer made on our house! Then at the same time, the page turned in our adoption journey. We found out on April 18^th that the little boy we were matched with for two years, whom we took into our heart as our son, was no longer eligible to being adopted.  Our heart sank and even as I am writing this my eyes are tearing up.  We have asked God “why” and “how”.  Yet, we know that the book is not yet done and there are more pages to turn.

The beauty of walking this journey is that we can fully trust His promises for His children as stated in Romans 8:28.  Our Father will work through the situation and turn it to His glory.  In this Church family, I know there are others who are doing some page turning.  Know that He truly loves His children and has our best interest at heart – and in doing so we have the courage to turn the next page.