A Field Guide to Biblical Community Sample

Yesterday’s reading said the New Testament lists 100 “one another“ commands. In today’s passage, Peter mentioned some of them. A “one another-ing” theology is helpful, similar to a house needing a solid foundation. But it becomes livable only with insulation, plumbing, wiring, and Sheetrock. So today's devotional looks at tangibly following some “one another” commands in our life together.

Any new practice takes, well, practice. We can’t become experts at obeying one hundred commands with every Christian we know overnight. As we consider these commands, let’s start by practicing a few alongside a few committed people.

“Unity” (1 Peter 3:8) is a common theme of the “one another” commands. More than “getting along,” Christian unity exists when things that are different come together for God’s glory. In Romans 14, Paul encourages this unity rather than dividing over differences or asking others to ignore their conviction. Some people in Rome’s first church avoided certain meats while others did not. Some chose to celebrate cultural feasts and holidays; others did not. Today, differing opinions exist in churches on things like politics and parenting, education, and justice. (And the debate over meat continues today too!)

To both sides of the “meat divide,” Paul writes, “Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him” (Rom. 14:3). He points to heart motive rather than outward action: “The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God” (14:6).

Christian unity occurs when different sides come together, even celebrating each other’s convictions in our shared pursuit of honoring God. People in my church pursue this when perspectives differ; for example, trying to interact personally and with love when discussing politics, when the cultural expectation is to destroy each other from afar. The Bible commands us to rebuke, teach, and “one another.” But we start by showing grace, giving the benefit of the doubt, and hearing each other’s perspectives. A primary goal in engaging each other’s differences is to pursue and celebrate one an- other’s shared motive, which must first be the glory of God.

1) What are some areas your view differs from other Christians in your community?

2) What would it look like to pursue unity in those differences?

3) Why is it hard? Pray that God would produce the fruit of unity in your heart and community!