One Another Series - Bear with 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.

Our verses for today’s podcast are Ephesians 4:2-3.  “ Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.   Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Once again, leaders are to set the example – to lead the way – in bearing with others. Think with me for a moment about this … if a leader becomes impatient and angry with others, how will that affect the organization His or her poor behavior will give others “permission” to act similarly, and the result is likely to be anger and chaos.

Looking again at verse 2, I believe the Apostle Paul’s instruction to be completely humble and gentle and patient describes the necessary attitude for us if we are to be able to “bear with” others. If I am self-focused and impatient, I have no chance of success in this.

I find this small phrase “bear with” to be quite interesting. What does Paul mean here? The Greek word used means to show tolerance. It has the connotation to put up with others’ attitudes, behaviors or immaturity that might frustrate us.

Paul has not only given us the command to bear with one another, he also tells us how this is possible. The end of verse 2 says, “in love”. As we genuinely love others, we are able to put up with, or bear with, them. Peter spoke to this idea in

1 Peter 4:8 where he wrote, “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”” When we love one another, we can choose to overlook offenses and bear with them.

Finally, back to our Ephesians passage, Paul addresses our motivation - or the “why” – we are to bear with one another. He instructs us to “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” I see at least two reasons for this. Firstly, leaders, unity within our teams is vitally important; all members need to be putting their efforts toward the same goal. Secondly, unity within the body of Christ is crucial as there is a watching world around us. They will know that we are Christ-followers by our demonstrated love for one another.

In these verses, Paul instructs us of:

 The What – we are to bear with one another

 The How – in love, and

 The Motivation – that we might maintain the unity of the Spirit

Leaders set the example in these things.

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