Richly

"...the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly..." - Titus 3:5-6

Imagine that: poured out richly.

Not just lightly sprayed like mist from an ocean breeze. Not just sprinkled like droplets of rain. But poured out richly like a swimming pool dumped on your head.

That is how the Holy Spirit is given to us.

I Ask Myself

"...so we speak, not to please man, but to please God..." - 1 Thessalonians 2:5

When I speak, do I care about pleasing God more than I care about pleasing man?

Don't Forget

Don't forget the bigger picture.

Teach One Another

"teaching...one another..." - Colossians 3:16

Like instructing, teaching should not come from ignorance, but "in all wisdom." Wise teaching stems from letting "the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16).

The verse continues "singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." As the ESV Study Bible explains, these musical components are a means of teaching one another. Doctrinally-sound lyrics are a form of teaching God's truth. Could this then translate into other arts like biblically based literature and visual arts? There are many ways through which we can teach truth.

Be Devoted to One Another

"Be devoted to one another..." - Romans 12:10 (NIV)

Being devoted to each other involves what the ESV translates as "lov[ing] one another with brotherly affection." It is faithful dedication. It is committed loyalty. It is sticking together through the colloquial "think and thin." It is loving despite hardships caused by a fellow brother.

The command to be devoted to one another comes in the midst of a passage full of descriptions of the Christian life. This is how we can please God. This is how we are to live.

Be Compassionate toward One Another

"Be...compassionate to one another..." - Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

We are to be others-focused, showing sympathy and kindness. In the ESV and NKJV, "compassionate" is translated as "tenderhearted."

Showing tenderheartedness is something we should all do. After specifically addressing wives, then husbands, Peter broadens his audience to include "all of you," saying "have...a tender heart" (1 Peter 3:8).

Acting compassionately is part of living the new life in Christ. We are to replace wrong living with righteous behavior. Our new lives are to be modeled after Christ; we are “to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Being compassionate or tenderhearted is just one aspect of this righteousness.

Although living "after the likeness of God" was already instructed, Paul further commands the Ephesians to "be imitators of God" (Ephesians 5:1). Being compassionate toward one another is closely connected with living a life that follows the example of and imitates God.

Be Patient with One Another

"Be patient...with one another..." - Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

We are to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called" (Ephesians 4:1). Patience is an attribute listed in the description of this manner.

In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul lists three categories of people and explains how to interact with them. "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all" (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Patience is the key in each of these situations.

Patience is something that we are to "put on" (Colossians 3:12). It is not easy to always be patient; however, we are not alone in this. We receive help from the Spirit "in our weakness" (Romans 8:25): patience is an aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Our patience reflects our love. "Love is patient" (1 Corinthians 13:4). Part of the way in which we love one another is through being patient toward one another.

Serve One Another

"...serve one another." - Galatians 5:13

Our service toward each other stems from love. It is "through love" that we serve (Galatians 5:13). The visual imagery of wearing a glove comes into my mind. Although I may touch something while wearing a glove, it is not actually my skin that touches the object. It is the fabric of the glove through which I touch that truly comes into contact with the object. Love should make up the fabric of the proverbial glove of service.

Serving also stems from freedom. Paul emphasizes the importance of how we use our freedom. Although we could easily use it for selfish purposes, Paul encourages the Galatians to seek loving service toward one another. We should follow Paul's example who said, "though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them" (1 Corinthians 9:19). Paul knows that he can be more effective if he uses his freedom to serve rather than be self-seeking.

So how can we serve? As Christians, we have received spiritual gifts; we are to use our gifts as a means of serving each other. Doing so shows that we are being "good stewards of God's varied grace" (1 Peter 4:10). Rather than basing service on our own ability, our serving comes "by the strength that God supplies" (1 Peter 4:11). God gives us the gifts to use and gives us the strength we need to use them. When we use our gifts to serve others, we glorify God, to whom "belong glory and dominion forever and ever" (1 Peter 4:11).

Concerning Peace

Becoming more godly involves peace. As well as pursuing peace with one another, we receive it from God.

Jesus told His disciples that God would send the Holy Spirit after His own departure. Jesus also promised to leave peace with them. This is not worldly peace, but His own peace (John 14:26-27). Our peace with God comes through Jesus (Romans 5:1) and "the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20).

This peace is authoritative and protective. We are to "let the peace of Christ rule in [our] hearts" (Colossians 3:15). We need not be anxious "about anything," but give all our requests to God; His peace, "which surpasses all understanding, will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Peace is revealed in our lives as an aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). As my favourite Psalm also states, we are to "seek peace and pursue it" (34:14).

I find it interesting that all three Persons in the Trinity are characterized as having the attribute of peace.

• God the Father is referred to as "the God of love and peace" (2 Corinthians 13:11).
• God the Son is titled "the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
  
• God the Spirit gives us peace. "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).
  

Be at Peace with One Another

"...be at peace with one another." - Mark 9:50

Peace is connected to agreeing with each other (2 Corinthians 13:11).

After commanding the Thessalonian believers to respect and esteem those with authority, Paul tells them to "be at peace among yourselves" (1 Thessalonians 5:13). Where tensions could easily arise, we must be especially diligent at working toward peace.

Peace is another attribute that does not simply come; we must "pursue what makes for peace" (Romans 14:19). Recognizing the difficulty of doing so, Paul writes to the Romans, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (12:18). It might be hard to attain, but we should nevertheless "strive for peace with everyone" (Hebrews 4:14).

Doing so results in closer communion with God. We are to "live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with [us]" (2 Corinthians 13:11).

Be Kind to One Another

"Be kind to one another..." - Ephesians 4:32

We are to "put away" characteristics like bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice (Ephesians 4:31). Instead, we should act with kindness toward each other.

Kindness stems from remembering God's grace toward us. This attribute is one aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Our character becomes more like God's character as we develop our relationship with Him and are indwelt by His Spirit.

Behaving kindly, however, is not passive. To the contrary,Colossians 3:12 says we are to "put on...kindness." It is something that we actively have to choose to do.

Build Up One Another

"...build one another up..." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Building up is closely linked with encouraging one another. As previously written, this has to do with our hope of heaven and life in Christ. What a reminder that "whether we are awake or asleep we...live with Him" (5:10).

We are to "pursue what makes for...mutual upbuilding" (Romans 14:19). "Pursue" is an active verb that requires actually doing something. As the surrounding verses explain, we build each other up through acting selflessly and not putting hindrances in the way of a weaker Christian. In order to build up someone weaker, "let each of us please his neighbor for his good" (Romans 15:2).

Building up also relates to the use of spiritual gifts. Specifically regarding tongues, Paul writes that we should "strive to excel in building up the church" (1 Corinthians 14:12). How different would our churches look if we did exactly that?

Stir Up One Another

"Stir up one another..." - Hebrews 10:24

We are to "consider" how we can stir one another up. This means to actively think about others and how to encourage and excite them (through "meeting together," in our manner of speaking to one another, etc.).

We do not aimlessly stir each other up, but do so with purpose. Intentionally, we should encourage one another toward "love and good works."

Instruct One Another

"...instruct one another." - Romans 15:14

We are to instruct one another with knowledge. This instruction should not be ignorant, but should stem from ability and competence (as translated in the ESV and NIV respectively).

It is important to pair instruction with love. Imparting knowledge without love is annoying and counts for "nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2). Used poorly, "this 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up" (1 Corinthians 8:1).

Not simply instructing, but how this instructing is carried out is vital.

Be Hospitable to One Another

"Show hospitality to one another..." - 1 Peter 4:9

We are to show hospitality "without grumbling" [which is much harder to do than with complaining]. Furthermore, we should not be passive about it, but actively "seek to show hospitality" to each other (Romans 13:13).

Although "one another" may focus on other believers, the author of Hebrews states that some who have shown hospitality to strangers "have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2). To me, that sounds pretty exciting.

Submit to One Another

"Submitting to one another..." - Ephesians 5:19

Part of wisely walking in the Spirit is submitting to one another, specifically the authorities God has placed in our lives.

The reason for doing this is "out of reverence for Christ." Honouring Christ should be the main goal of our actions, rather than just seeking the favour of others.

Speak to One Another

"Speak to one another..." - Ephesians 5:19 (NIV)

We should not simply have idle conversation, but speak together "in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...giving thanks always and for everything to God..." (Ephesians 5:19-20).

This manner of talking results from being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul contrasts this with being filled with alcohol, "which leads to debauchery" (5:18).

Our conversation should "be done for building up" (1 Corinthians 14:26). We should seek opportunities to speak to one another in a godly way.

Forgive One Another

"Forgive...one another..." - Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

In the preceding verses, Paul lists numerous sinful deeds and characteristics, saying, "in these too you once walked" (3:7). He encourages the Colossians to rid themselves of this behaviour, replacing it with godly attributes. Like us, the Colossians were sinners, saved by the grace of God.

Because of this, grace toward one another is necessary. We are to forgive each other.

Paul writes, "as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive" (3:13). Christ demonstrates forgiveness toward us; likewise, we are to forgive others.

Honour One Another

"Honor one another above yourselves." - Romans 12:10 (NIV)

We are to honor one another more than we seek to be honored. The ESV is translated, "Outdo one another in showing honor." It is like a competition; instead of "Who can do the most push ups?" it is "Who can show the most honor?" This competition, however, does not stem from rivalry or seeking the honored title of being "Most Honoring."

We are to humbly consider others "more significant" than ourselves and honor them by guarding their interests as we guard our own (Philippians 2:3-4).

As Paul writes, we are to give honor to those "to whom honor is owed" (Romans 13:7). We should not let an opportunity slip past to honor those who deserve it.

Peter goes further, commanding, "Honor everyone" (1 Peter 2:17). All men deserve respect. We should seek to treat everyone in a manner that honors them.

Comfort One Another

"...comfort one another..." - 2 Corinthians 13:11

In the midst of instructing the Corinthians to seek restoration, agreement, and peace, Paul tells the believers to comfort one another. Although we may be experiencing various struggles (even with fellow Christians), we can and should be a comfort to one another.

Just as Paul closes this letter by speaking of comforting each other, so he opened the book: it is the "God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

As you might have noticed, that is a lot of comfort. God is our source of comfort. One of the reasons He comforts us is in order to give us the ability to share that comfort with others.