I Surrender All

This “one-another” is a really tough one for me. Sometimes I think I’m generally being submissive, but then I get in a hurry to get somewhere and I believe that it’s my God-ordained right to be in my lane going fast and that everyone needs to get out of my way. Maybe it doesn’t count if you know you will never see these people again?? However, you can’t be guaranteed of that. Years ago I was on I-440, running late for a meeting on West End, and I was on the tail of the car in front of me “urging” it to go on (you know what I’m talking about), only to find out that the person in the car in front of me was who I would be meeting with. True story—I’m not kidding! And you know what she said to me when I arrived, just behind her? “You were in kind of a hurry, weren’t you?” She had noticed it was me. Boy was I ever embarrassed!!!

I’m really trying to do better. I will let a car merge in front of me, especially if I see an exit or lane change coming up and think they might need to get off. But don’t you just hate it when there’s a lane closure and someone stays in the lane that’s closed until the last minute and then tries to scoot in in front of you? I used to be that person, but not anymore, so I am honestly trying to do better.

Perhaps the word “yield” is easier for us to consider. Maybe that’s because we are so used to those road signs. We know we are supposed to submit to God, and we probably understand that the Bible tells us to submit to authority, but why submit to anyone else? As believers, it should make sense to love one another, forgive one another, be kind to one another, encourage one another, and serve one another. But why submit? Perhaps submission is rooted in some of the other “One Another’s,” such as or “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5) or “Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10) or “In humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

Because of my shortcomings, I really needed to dig into this command, and what I learned is that it comes from the fact that as believers, we are all one body, one team. The body, or team, works more effectively if every part–or every person–has respect for each other. We are to imitate Christ by being selfless. We should think of others first, and not be self-seeking. In fact, can you imagine just how wonderful life would be if we were to all treat each other– not stopping with the Golden Rule treating others as we would like to be treated—rather, in humility, considering others better than ourselves? I believe that Heaven will be like this, and who wouldn’t want a little Heaven on earth?

Any why? Simply because God has commanded it. Once we surrender ourselves to Jesus, then we do this out of reverence for Christ and a desire to be obedient. So, let’s encourage one another in this very important endeavor of submitting, or yielding, to each other.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21)

In Christ,

Judy

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

We began a series on the biblical “One Another’s” last week, starting with “Love One Another.” The example was the Good Samaritan, showing us who to love, and how to love. We learn from this that love is a verb; it is something we do, not just something we feel. In fact, I imagine most of you express your love by your actions and perhaps seldom feel what we think love is supposed to feel like (hope that made sense). Regardless of your feelings, you are expressing love. All the “One Another’s” are like that—they are actions.

Five times* in the Bible we are commanded to “encourage one another.” Encouragement comes from a Latin word “hortatorious” and means “encouraging, cheering, exhorting, urging, inciting, instigating.” This definition suggests the passage about Barnabas from Acts 11:21-26:

“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” 

Barnabas was known as the “son of encouragement” because he was constantly encouraging those around him. He was already a believer at the time of Saul’s conversion, and he stood up for Saul/Paul after his conversion until Saul/Paul was accepted by the church. He traveled often with Paul on missionary trips, and then split with Paul in order to continue to mentor his cousin John Mark (against Paul’s wishes).

I really like how the writer of Hebrews puts it: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

What are some ways that we can bless others with encouragement; how can we spur one another on toward love and good deeds?

Level 1:  Consider each other. Take a personal interest in each other by asking about them, really listening, praying for each other. Build relationship.

Level 2:  Be proactive in acknowledging what each other does well, focusing on the positives rather than the negatives, to reinforce good behavior. Build each other up.

Level 3: Pray for discernment to understand each other’s needs, particularly spiritually, and then to know how to speak life into that person, to know what to say to be able to exhort them to grow specifically, remembering as always to “speak the truth in love.” Christians are urged “look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.” For example, in the above passage from Acts, Barnabas, meeting with new believers, “exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.” We should encourage each other in our faithful attendance to worship services and to use our spiritual gifts for the glory of God.

Maybe you know the song “Home on the Range,” where “seldom is heard a discouraging word.” I hope you have had a home and work environment where this is the case, but many of us can’t claim that experience. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t foster this environment in our homes and workplace today and going forward. Biblical encouragement is such a great way for us to grow and disciple each other. When God’s people lovingly “encourage one another” with Christ-exalting words and deeds, the gospel message is not only clarified but amplified, and God is glorified. I am praying that we can build a home and workplace “where seldom is heard a discouraging word.”

In Christ,

Judy

*1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11; Hebrews 3:13, 10:24, 10:25.