Members One Of Another

by F. McCormick | Category: General | Dec 1932

Such is the mutual relationship of believers.

As members of the Body of Christ, and thus one of another, it may be clearly seen that mutual responsibility is involved. There is, of course, mutual responsibility in other connections also, and we shall cite scriptures having a wide range and general bearing. It is, however, of the practical operation on earth of relationship with the exalted Head and members of the Body, that we wish to write in particular, and our attitude toward members of the Body will depend upon our attitude toward the Head, for "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light," we shall have fellowship one with another. It should be pointed out that it was God's design that all members of the Body, blood-bought and redeemed, should have their place while on earth, in Churches of God. This is clear from the fact that God has not legislated in His Word for churches other than Churches of' God, throughout the dispensation. It is a sad fact that the many have failed, from one cause or another, to conform to the revealed will of God, and are not found in Churches of God, not being builded together with others according to the pattern (see Acts 2. 41, 42). In the New Testament this unity of believers in the Churches is called "The Fellowship of His Son" (1 Corinthians 1. 9), "The House of God"(1 Timothy 3. 15), and" The flock of God "(1 Peter 5.). The persons thus together-of-God are called unitedly to own and be subject to" One Lord " (Ephesians 4. 5). As thus subject to Him they should be obedient to the written Word, and continue stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine, holding, teaching, and practising the truth of God-" Pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3. 15), bearing witness to the blessed Lord Jesus Christ; and shedding abroad the light of life in this benighted world (see also Revelation 1. 12; Philippians 2. 15, 16).

It is very necessary to see that those thus together-of-God have responsibilities both to the Lord and one to another which are quite distinctive to their position as a conditional unity-such, for example, as the putting away of a wicked person- which has no place whatever in the membership of the Body of Christ, but it is true that there are also certain responsibilities which attach to us because of our relationship with Christ as Head of the Church which is His Body, and with one another as members of His Body. It is therefore incumbent upon us to seek to fulfil these responsibilities, at the same time being quite clear that "the Church, which is His Body" is not to be confused with the Church and Churches of God. For example, into the former the Lord Jesus baptises (1 Corinthians 12. 13; Matthew 3. 11), but to the latter, by human instrumentality disciples are added by the Lord to those already gathered in testimony (see Acts 2. 41, 42; 9. 26, 27). A large portion of the New Testament is taken up with teaching the people of God varied responsibilities both toward Himself and each other, and it becomes us "to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them" (Hebrews 2. 1); "He that hath ears to hear let him hear."

"This is My commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you" (John 15. 12); "Hereby know we love, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3. 16); "Let love be without hypocrisy" (Romans 12. 9); "My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue: but in deed and truth (1 John 3. 18); and "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13. 35); "Let all that ye do be done in love" (1 Corinthians 16. 14); that " Speaking truth (margin, dealing truly) in love," we may "grow up in all things into Him, which is the Head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4. 15).

How all this should characterize us in our dealings with each other, but when out of touch with the Lord (it may be momentarily) the reverse is the fact, and trouble, sorrow, and mischief often follow. If we must needs speak the truth to each other in order to correct, let us be found "speaking the truth in love," "for we are members one of another." "If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love" (John 15. 10). Then the love of Christ will constrain us in all our activities at home and at work; in business, and the varied responsibilities in the Assembly; and reaching out in the will of God as far as practicable to fellow-members of the Body of Christ in general, so shall we be found fulfilling the divine injunction--" walk in love" (Ephesians 5. 2). Our responsibility is also to "consider one another to provoke unto love and good works" (Hebrews 10. 24). How easy it is to provoke to anger and bad works! hence the exhortation " consider one another"; "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted" (Ephesians 4. 32). Take into account personal traits-including in some cases at least, weaknesses and frailties ; and with true sympathy let each one seek the good and spiritual blessing of the other. How this would save us from the hard, harsh, unkind thought and word, and result in brotherly kindness and a strengthening of the bonds of love, according to divine example, "not looking each of you to your own things, but each of you also to the things of others" (Philippians 2. 4). Having the same "care one for another," for "we are members one of another" (Romans 12. 5). Is there a suffering member? "Be tenderly affectioned one to another" (Romans 12. 10). Do we feel for each other as part of ourselves ? then we will all seek to minister to the need one of another. Do some especially need comfort? "Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4. 18); or exhortation? then "exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the day drawing nigh "(Hebrews 10. 15). Likewise, as in the human body where if one member is honoured all the members rejoice with it, so should it be with members of the Body of Christ; and if jealousy and envy are absent we shall be found" in honour preferring one another" (Romans 12. 10); so that we shall "Rejoice with them that rejoice " and " weep with them that weep."

How sweet, how heavenly is the sight,

When those that love the Lord

In one another's peace delight,

And so fulfil His word!

When each can feel his brother's sigh,

And with him bear a part;

When sorrow flows from eye to eye,

And joy from heart to heart;

When free from envy, scorn, and pride,

Our wishes all above

Each can his brother's failings hide,

And shew a brother's love

When love in one delightful stream,

Through every bosom flows,

When union sweet, and kind esteem,

In every action glows.

It is also incumbent upon us at all times to "pray one for another" (James 5. 16), blessed privilege ! In these perilous times and darkening days, amidst the increasing difficulties of the pilgrim path, it is ours to pray "With all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6. 18). This very important healthy exercise fosters mutual interest, care, and consideration; and in this the youngest as well as the oldest may engage.

We need each other's prayers beloved, "And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against anyone" (Mark 11. 25); "Forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4.32). "Take heed to yourselves, if thy brother sin rebuke him; and if he repent forgive him, and if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times return to thee saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him (Luke 17. 3, 4; see also Matthew 18.). "Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another." The Master said, "Ye also ought to wash one another's feet"; "Ye call Me Master, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am... I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you." May we seek grace and humility so to do, for, "If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them" (see John 13. 12-17). "Let all things be done unto edifying"; "Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do "(1 Thessalonians 5. 11); "Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth" -margin, buildeth up (1 Corinthians 8. 1); "Let each one of us please his neighbour for that which is good, unto edifying" (Romans 15. 2).

These are a few of the many responsibilities we have to each other and to the Lord. "Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth which is with you. And I think it right... to stir you up by putting you in remembrance " (2 Peter 1. 12). Let us then make it our ambition "to be well pleasing unto Him. For we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ; that each may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5. 9, 10).

F. McCormick | Dec 1932
General