Dave’s Monday Blast – May 6, 2024

Continuing from the last two weeks concerning living for “one another” within the construct of the Church. The phrase “one another” is derived from the Greek word allelon which means “one another, each other, mutually, reciprocally.” It occurs 100 times in the New Testament. Approximately 59 of those occurrences are specific commands teaching us how and how not to relate to one another. Obedience to those commands is imperative. It forms the basis for all true Christian community, and has a direct impact on our witness to the world (John 13:35). In addition to allelon, the Bible uses other words and phrases to instruct us how to relate to others. With that in mind, I wanted to share with you a list of the HOW NOT to RELATE to one another.

When I am attempting to understand a Biblical admonition, I tend to consider what it is not before I consider what it is. To that end, here are the NEGATIVE Commands concerning how not to treat one anothers:

1. Do not lie to one another (Colossians 3:9).
2. Stop passing judgement on one another (Romans 14:3).
3. Stop biting and devouring each other less you be destroyed by each other (Galatians 5:15).
4. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5;26).
5. Do not slander one another (James 4:11).
6. Do not grumble against each other (James 5:9). 

As mentioned, there are 100 one another commands to be found in the New Testament. Having shared six things we are commanded NOT to do if the goal is to relate to one another in love, next week I want to share their counterparts.