10/08/20 THE “ONE ANOTHER”’S IN THE NT #1 — About 100 times in the NT the Greek word “allelon” occurs. It usually translated “one another” (at least 76 times) or “each other.” Many of these verses give responsibilities all individual believers have toward other believers. For the next few weeks let’s look at most of these.

Romans 12:5 (CSB) says, “in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of ONE ANOTHER.” The MacArthur Study Bible comments, “Just as in the natural body, God has sovereignly given the body of Christ a unified diversity (see 1Co 12:14-20).” Each and every true believer is an indispensable organ in his or her local church, the Body of Christ.

Medical experts may declare that some of the organs in our physical bodies are unnecessary, e.g. the appendix. But that is NOT true in the spiritual realm. At least two challenges face us. First, we need to learn to value each and every member of our church, fighting our all-too-common tendency to force each believer into a predetermined mold. Second, we must be aggressive in our search for their unique gifts, functions and roles.