One Another…Part 2

It is hard to find and appropriate new truths which, we discover, can become a part of our daily walk with God. Moses became a great leader, but he had some lessons to learn. It took God 40 years to teach him the things he could only learn by isolation and humiliation. He is a good example of, "The Test of Pride is Humiliation." In the Book of Acts his story is once again emphasized as a teaching lesson found in chapter 7:14, 25-29:

"And on seeing one of them being unjustly treated, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian and slaying [him].
25 He expected his brethren to understand that God was granting them deliverance by his hand [taking it for granted that they would accept him]; but they did not understand.
26 Then on the next day he suddenly appeared to some who were quarreling and fighting among themselves, and he urged them to make peace and become reconciled, saying, Men, you are brethren; why do you abuse and wrong ONE ANOTHER?
27 Whereupon the man who was abusing his neighbor pushed [Moses] aside, saying, Who appointed you a ruler (umpire) and a judge over us?
28 Do you intend to slay me as you slew the Egyptian yesterday?
29 At that reply Moses sought safety by flight and he was an exile and an alien in the country of Midian, where he became the father of two sons." We are to aim at peace with all men and holiness without which no man can see God.

THERE ARE LESSONS IN LIFE THAT ONLY ISOLATION CAN TEACH YOU. LONELINESS IS A GREAT TEACHER.

In Paul's letter to the Church in Rome, he makes a point of note:

"So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on ONE ANOTHER]."
Romans 12:5

There is a chain of ONE ANOTHER'S in the Book of Romans and as we read, we can easily see they are hard to miss:

"Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits."
Romans 12:16

"Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor [who practices loving others] has fulfilled the Law [relating to one's fellowmen, meeting all its requirements]."
Romans 13:8

Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.
Romans 14:13

This expression (one another) has a way of growing importance as we read it repeatedly, regarding the Big Picture of the Word of God. It is like mining for gold; you find a rich vein and you just stay with it until you find the very last nugget and the chain continues.

Follow this vein with me and let's look at what Paul says to encourage unity with others in the body of Christ:

So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual up building (edification and development) of one another.
Romans 14:19 AMPC

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Romans 15:5 AMPC

Welcome and receive [to your hearts] one another, then, even as Christ has welcomed and received you, for the glory of God.
Romans 15:7 AMPC

Personally I am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are rich in goodness, amply filled with all [spiritual] knowledge and competent to admonish and counsel and instruct one another also.
Romans 15:14 AMPC

Receive her in the Lord [with a Christian welcome], as saints (God's people) ought to receive one another. And help her in whatever matter she may require assistance from you, for she has been a helper of many including myself [shielding us from suffering].
Romans 16:2

Greet one another with a holy (consecrated) kiss. All the churches of Christ (the Messiah) wish to be remembered to you.
Romans 16:16

Our unity in Christ has 7 facts to it:

- one body - one Spirit - one hope - one Lord - one faith - one baptism - one God

and it does not end here. At the Lord's Table we are to show a respect for the family of God by waiting for one another, to be served which is a demonstration of our respect for the one who gave Himself for us.

In closing today's letter, I leave you with our final passage:

"Now I have applied all this [about parties and factions] to myself and Apollos for your sakes, brethren, so that from what I have said of us [as illustrations], you may learn [to think of men in accordance with Scripture and] not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you may be puffed up and inflated with pride and boast in favor of one [minister and teacher] against another."
1 Corinthians 4:6

We are doing Life Together, and we cannot do it without you. This is even more reason "I Believe in you."

Love One Another.

Your Pastor,
Cleddie Keith