'One Another' Series - Be Devoted to One Another

 

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

This year, in these podcasts, I am focusing upon the “One Another” scriptures found in the New Testament as viewed through the lens of leadership.

Today’s podcast comes from Romans 12:10. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” The Apostle Paul offers two “One Anothers” in this one verse.

 We are to be devoted to one another. And,

 We are to honor one another … above yourselves.

The word “devoted” means “very loving or loyal.” This reminds me of a podcast from a couple of years ago in which VCP Supervisor Peter Baraka shared that “we must love those whom we lead.” Godly leaders model this behavior by their care and concern for their followers. When those who follow know that their leader loves them, they feel secure in that relationship, and they are more inclined to do their work with excellence.

This parallels the relationship that we have as disciples as we follow Christ. When we are secure in His love, we work in response to - or motivated by - His love; we don’t do so in order to try to gain it.

Secondly, “devoted” also means “loyal”. Godly leaders must demonstrate loyalty to those who follow us if we are to expect them to reciprocate. Loyalty to followers means that as leaders we do not discard, or cast them aside, when they make a mistake. Instead, we need to provide correction, instruction and encouragement.

In a podcast from July, 2020, I shared that one of the positions of leadership is “behind” our followers. In this message, I reminded leaders that sometimes we must “pick them up when they have fallen.” This exemplifies our loyalty to those who follow us. As a result, most of the time this builds their level of loyalty to us, and this combination strengthens the Body and our work.

Finally, the Apostle Paul instructs us that we are to honor one another above ourselves. This can be challenging yet it is a command to be followed. I’m reminded of Philippians 2:3-4. “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.” Good and Godly leaders are humble and unselfish, serving others. It is our security in our relationship with Christ that enables us to do this. May we be fully devoted to one another.

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