Articles
"One Another" Closeness
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We, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Rom. 12:5)
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In a chapter emphasizing our responsibilities as members of the body of Christ, Paul uses the expression "one another" four times. We are "members of one another" (v. 5); we must be "kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love," and "give preference to one another" (v. 10); we are to be of "same mind toward one another," associating with the humble (v. 16).
This is just one chapter. Read the rest of the New Testament and we discover dozens of similar "one another" obligations, such as: serve one another (Gal. 5:13); comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:18); care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25); bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2); exhort one another (Heb. 3:13); and, of course, love one another (Rom. 13:8; 1 Pet. 1:22; 4:8; 1 Thess. 3:12; 1 Jn. 4:7). Are we detecting a theme yet?
So here is a thought exercise: Is this special "one another" closeness maintained by saying "howdy" once or twice a week at church services?
A major component of our relationship with Christ is the close relationship we have with fellow saints. We have something in common with these people that we do not share with anyone else, and it shows in our closeness to them. To be a Christian is to participate in a family that, in some cases, is closer and more intimate than our biological family. God designed it that way.
This level of intimacy is absolutely essential to the growth of the individual members. Not only do we gain a personal benefit from the constant stroking from others, our service to others builds our self-esteem. We are valued both for who we are, and what we do for others. This level of involvement in the lives of others becomes an instrument of personal healing and improvement.
These close relationships are also essential to the growth of the church. In a healthy congregation, visitors see a connection among the members that they do not see in any other social group in their lives, and this bond of fellowship is often the first thing that attracts them to the gospel message. Dead, stagnant churches, on the other hand, can usually be identified by their lack of internal cohesion. If the people are not all that close to each other, why bother trying to bring anyone else in? Just as a family is considered dysfunctional if its members rarely interact with each other, so a church is dysfunctional if its members are not in frequent and meaningful contact with each other.
How close are you to your brothers and sisters in Christ? Make time in your busy schedule to get involved in their lives outside of services, and see if everyone doesn't benefit from the investment--including yourself.
--David
