This post is based on a little sermon I preached at our Three-Fold Communion Service on Palm Sunday, 2026.
The so-called one-another passages have been emphasized by lots of preachers and teachers over the years. In the New Testament particularly, there are many commands given in the context of one another. In other words, these are commands about how believers are to relate to each other in the context of the church.

It’s important to understand that these instructions are delivered to believers in Christ. A person who hasn’t trusted in Christ is actually incapable of carrying out these one-another commands. Another way to say this is that these commands are directed to members of the church of Jesus Christ.

These important passages are very appropriate for Three-Fold Communion. The love feast reminds us that we are brothers and sisters in Christ, committed to one another. The foot-washing recognizes that we willingly serve one another with humble hearts. The bread & cup memorializes what we all have in common, our need of forgiveness and grace from God.

So please allow me to share some of the greatest one-another passages from the New Testament.
In John 15:12 Jesus says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” The apostle Peter echoes this command. “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet 4:8). Someone has said, “love is a verb.” The type of love we are called to have toward each other is based on commitment. Loving feelings will ebb and flow, but the commitment remains.

Over in Romans 15:7 Paul writes, “Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” The literal meaning of the word “accept” is to take to. We are to take each other as our legitimate brothers and sisters. There really should be no room for grudges and petty bickering among us.

Carrying ourselves with humility and serving one another also comes up. Galatians 5:13 says, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” And 1 Peter 5:5 says, “and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” We are to serve one another with a humble spirit. The foot washing service is a beautiful picture of this principle.

We are called to care for and encourage one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
There is also an important one-another statement in the well-worn passage from Hebrews. “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

I wonder, have you ever realized that your presence in the community might be exactly what someone else in the community needs? Our modern, American society has turned us into a culture of consumers. But a mark of genuine Christian maturity is when you show up, not just to consume, but to offer yourself to encourage and carry the burdens of others.

We are to be a people of kindness and forgiveness, especially as we relate to each other. Ephesians 4:32 says this: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” And Colossians 3:13 speaks of, “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
I would love to declare a day of forgiveness, a day when everyone of us completely lets go of any unforgiveness we harbor toward each other. We just release it all. We let go of it. We start fresh, with a readiness to forgive again.

Finally, the Scriptures also urge us toward being real with one another. James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” We probably don’t discuss our shortcomings enough with each other. Maybe we think our brothers and sisters will judge us if they know what we are struggling with.
This kind of openness requires two things. First, someone needs to be willing to confess. Second, the one hearing the confession needs to be committed to praying for, not judging the other.

The one-another passages call us to a different kind of lifestyle. After all, it is our love for each other that is supposed to mark us as true disciples of Jesus. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another…By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34-35).

So, if you are a part of this congregation or another, be encouraged to start taking these one-another sayings seriously in your church life. Concentrate on love, unity, acceptance, service, humility, care, encouragement, kindness, forgiveness, and being authentic with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Pastor George