The One Anothers

I am positively thrilled that our church is putting specific focus on discipleship. Not because discipleship was lacking or non-existent, but rather it is a reflection of how the early New Testament church grew and flourished. Just as God created us for relationship, our Savior built his church through the caring relationships of fellow believers. Our upcoming Men's Night worship event (this Friday night, 6 p.m. at OEX) is going to focus on discipleship---why is it so important and vital to the spiritual growth of every believer.

The apostle Paul, arguably the greatest disciple maker in Scripture, identified a variety of keys to what Pastor Curtis calls intentional, relational discipleship. Throughout his letters and others in the New Testament, you'll find many "One Anothers". Twenty-three to be exact. Here's a sampling: love one another (John 15:12, Romans 12:10), welcome one another (Romans 15:7), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25), teach one another (Colossians 3:16), encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), motivate one another (Hebrews 10:24), bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), confess your sins to one another (James 5:16) and have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7).

What the one anothers clearly show us is that discipleship is all about building relationships. It's all about strengthening others in the body of Christ. It's all about taking action and doing things beyond ourselves. It's all about demonstrating a willingness to come and follow Jesus and then to go and make others who will also come and follow Him.

Jesus himself tells us the key qualifier to be a disciple of Him: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). The one anothers can't happen without a love that comes from the Father and is then manifested through his people. Love for one another. Love that comes from the One who is love (1 John 4:7). Love that comes from an overflow of the love the Father pours out on us. For one another.