One Anothers...

I've been gathering with a group of guys over the last few months on Monday mornings at 6:15 am at Starbucks...okay, what's wrong with that statement? You guessed it, 6:15 am...

Anyway, it's awesome to see how we're steadily forming relationships and realizing that we face some of the same challenges in life. And the great part is that we come from different walks of life, different ages (unfortunately most of them are younger than me...or should I say unfortunate for me...fortunate for them), and guys who have experienced different life journeys. Yet in the midst of that, we're all united in one thing--trying to live our lives in a way that reflects the love of Christ in everything we do--and we're realizing that's a challenge we all have in common as well.

Over the last few weeks we've talked about the "one anothers"...scripture verses that encourage us how to live with each other. What are some of them?

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Romans 12:16 "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."

Romans 14:13 "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. "

Romans 15:7 "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. "

Galatians 5:13 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. "

Ephesians 5:21 "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

James 4:11 "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it."

1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

1 Peter 4:9 "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

Wow, we could spend weeks on what each of those verses mean in how we relate to other people: family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, even strangers. And it's amazing how they are really juxtaposed to many people's "it's all about me" mindset.

So, as we've been encouraged (and challenged) to do, I'd like for you to imagine what it would be like if you lived one day responding (not reacting--that's another discussion) to folks living out the "one another" challenges.

Multiply that by encouraging family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers to do the same...that might almost be a picture of what the psalmist said when he penned, "...Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."

Just a thought.