'One Anothers' Series: Love One Another

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters and leaders. 

As we begin a new year, I am beginning a new series.  During 2023, I intend to focus upon the: “One Anothers” found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership. 

Did you realize that the phrase “one another” occurs fifty-nine times in the New Testament? In the coming year we will explore many of these scriptures. What might you guess is the most frequent “one another” instruction? If your answer is “Love One Another,” you would be correct.  This command is given at least sixteen times in the New Testament. 

Here is Jesus’s command in John 13:34; “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

I would like to pose two questions as we consider this command. 

• Why is it new? 

• What does “love one another” have to do with spiritual leadership? 

Regarding, “why is it new? s I pondered and studied this thought, I found this helpful explanation from pastor and author John Piper:  

“I see two answers implied in this verse. The key … is found in the … second half of the verse: “. . . just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” The newness of the command to love each other is found in Jesus’ words “as I have loved you.”

I see two ways that the commandment to love each other is new in those words. First, the command is new because it is a command to live out the love of Jesus. Second, … The words “as I have loved you” contain a pattern for our love for each other, and they contain a power for our love for each other.”

Stated another way, we are to love others following Christ’s example.  Philippians 2:3-4 tells us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”  Further, we are to love others through the power and enablement of the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes, the ability to love others is simply beyond our own capacity.  For me, this is particularly true when I and/or the other person are having a difficult day.   

To address the second question, I recall that about 18 months ago I shared a podcast that was inspired by VCP Supervisor Peter Baraka. One of Peter’s leadership principles is, “You must love those you lead.”  

As good and godly leaders demonstrate their genuine love for their followers, several positive things happen:

• Followers feel appreciated and motivated. Their level of commitment increases.

• Relationships and loyalty with one’s followers develop and then becomes strengthened. Teamwork and hard work follow. 

• There is forgiveness for unintended mistakes or offenses

• You begin to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to pray for one another, and to provide practical support for each other. 

Love one another. 

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.