Jesus Christ
Growth in Character - Learning to Love "One Another"

I AM


When Christ lives in us, He begins to change us to be more like him. These are changes in our 'being' which result in changes in how we live, i.e. what we 'do.' Who we 'are' then is foundational to what we 'do.' It's for this reason Jesus focused who He was (John 5:19-30) to explain what He did.

As we grow in Christ, we grow also in character.
 
Character is an aspect of who we are on the inside.
Character is revealed by what we are and do when no one is looking
Character is revealed by we are and do when we are under pressure
Character is what we are and do as our 'default' tendency in certain situations.

Christ in us shapes and changes our character in many ways including how we relate to "one another." Scripture speaks of this reality in many ways and places, such as the following. Please read them slowly, meditatively, asking the Lord to speak as you do:

John 13:14

    "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet."

 

John 13:34

    "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

 

Romans 12:10

    "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

 

Romans 12:16

    "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."

 

Romans 14:13

    "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way."

 

Romans 15:7

    "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

 

Galatians 5:13

    "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

 

Galatians 6:2

    "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

 

Ephes. 4:2

    "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

 

Ephes. 4:32

    "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

 

Ephes. 5:19

    "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."

 

Ephes. 5:21

    "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

 

Ephes. 6:18

    "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

 

Ephes. 6:18

    "Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere."

 

Philippians 2:3

    Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself."

 

Philippians 2:4

    "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

 

Col. 3:9

    "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices."

 

Col. 3:13

    "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

 

Col. 3:16

    "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

 

1 Thes. 4:9

    "Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another."

 

1 Thes. 4:18

    "Therefore comfort one another with these words."

 

1 Thes. 5:11

    "Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing."

 

1 Thes. 5:13

    "Esteem them highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another."

 

1 Thes. 5:15

    "See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men."

 

Hebrews 3:13

    "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

 

Hebrews 10:24

    "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

 

Hebrews 10:25

    "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

 

Hebrews 13:1

    "Keep on loving each other as brothers."

 

James 4:11

    "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it."

 

James 5:9

    "Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!"

 

James 5:16

    "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

 

1 Peter 1:22

    "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."

 

1 Peter 4:9

    "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."

 

1 Peter 4:10

    "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

 

1 Peter 5:5

    "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

    "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."