We are in a series called Friendships and this Sunday I will make reference to some of these verses. They are great to review anytime. Read them, pray about them and see if you do not get challenged in how you treat and invest in your friendships. Most of us are familiar with the ‘one another’ commands of the New Testament
Affirm
1. Affirm one another’s strengths, abilities, and gifts.
- Romans 12:10: “Honor one another”
- James 5:9: “Don’t grumble against each other”
- Romans 12:3-8: Confirm the gifts of one another
2. Affirm one another’s equal importance in Christ.
- Romans 15:7: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you”
- 1 Corinthians 12:25: “Have equal concern for each other”
- 1 Peter 5:5: “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another”
- James 2:1: “Don’t show favoritism”
3. Affirm one another through visible affection.
- Romans 16:16: “Greet one another with a holy kiss”
- James 1:19: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak”
- Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another”
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12: “[May] your love increase and overflow for each other”
Share
4. Share one another’s space, goods, and time.
- Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love”
- 1 Peter 4:9: “Offer hospitality to one another”
- Galatians 6:10: “As we have opportunity, let us do good”
5. Share one another’s needs and problems.
- Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Encourage one another”
- Hebrews 3:13: “Encourage one another daily”
6. Share one another’s beliefs, thinking, and spirituality.
- Colossians 3:16: “Teach and admonish one another”
- Ephesians 5:19: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”
- Romans 12:16: “Live in harmony with one another”
- 1 Corinthians 1:10: “Agree with one another”
Serve
7. Serve one another through accountability.
- James 5:16: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other”
- Romans 15:14: “Instruct one another”
- Ephesians 4:25: “Speak truthfully”
8. Serve one another through forgiveness and reconciliation.
- Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love”
- Colossians 3:13: “Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another”
- Galatians 5:25: Don’t provoke or envy one another
- James 4:11: “Do not slander one another”
- Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15: Reestablish broken relationships with one another
9. Serve one another’s interests rather than our own.
- Hebrews 10:24: “spur one another on toward love and good deeds”
- Romans 15:1-2: Don’t please yourself but please others
- Galatians 5:13: “Serve one another”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. (NIV)
We will be happy if we do these things and add value to others,
Pastor Bernie Federmann
Words for the Heart 