Faith & Reason Nexus

The Bible teaches that Christians should treat one another with love, respect, and humility. This relationship with fellow believers is essential for building a strong and healthy Christian community. Below are key principles for how we should regard one another according to Scripture.

1. Consider One Another

• Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”
• Matthew 7:12: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
• Galatians 6:1-2: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

2. Submit to One Another

• Ephesians 5:21: “Submitting to one another in the fear of God.”
• Romans 12:3-4: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

3. Exhort One Another

• Hebrews 3:13: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
• Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
• Jude 3: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”

4. Forgive One Another

• Ephesians 4:32: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
• Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
• Luke 17:3-4: “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

5. Love One Another

• John 13:34: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
• 1 John 3:17-18: “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

6. Forbear One Another

• Ephesians 4:2: “With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”
• Matthew 6:14-15: (See above under “Forgive One Another”)
• Luke 17:3-4: (See above under “Forgive One Another”)

7. Esteem One Another

• Philippians 2:3-5: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
• Romans 12:3: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”

Failure to Regard One Another Causes Many Problems

When Christians fail to properly regard one another by neglecting these Biblical principles, it can lead to disunity, conflict, and a lack of spiritual growth. By following these teachings, believers can cultivate love, peace, and a stronger bond with one another, reflecting Christ’s love for the church. The health of the Christian community depends on each member actively participating in these mutual responsibilities.