I’ve thought about this for years.

Wondering how many times the Bible teaches us Christians to do something “one to another,” in a common bond of love and respect.

I think it’s “time” to maybe share some of those thoughts here on the Website.

And, though the first actual “one to another” statement will not be presented until tomorrow morning, I will mention today that these “commands” seem to come in several different categories.

The largest group seems to concentrate on our being “unified” as Brothers and Sisters in Christ. As in Mark 9:50, for example. “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, AND HAVE PEACE ONE WITH ANOTHER.” Mark’s (really Jesus was talking) thought here must be considered “in context.” Our Western minds do not initially associate “salt” and “peace,” do they?

A second group of the “one another’s” of the Bible seem to emphasize “love.” (You can be at “peace” with someone without really “loving” them, you know!) Yes, occurring repeatedly in the New Testament is the clause “Love one another.” (I this morning found it 13 times in 12 verses!) Here’s John 13:34, Jesus: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE ONE ANOTHER; as I have loved you, that ye also LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” Wow, how thrilling!

Then yet a third group of such commands seem to focus on “humility.” Romans 12:16 is the classic example. “BE OF THE SAME MIND ONE TOWARD ANOTHER. Mind not high things, but CONDESCEND to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Yes, humility. Do not be “smart alecks” one to another! Or “know it all’s!”

Lastly a fourth group would need to be catalogued “miscellaneous.” Covering a range of subjects, issues of life. Like this one, very clear: “LIE NOT ONE TO ANOTHER, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.” Colossians 3:9, truthfulness.

Again, we shall delve a little deeper tomorrow, the Lord willing.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell