The lyrics from Diana Ross’ 1970 hit “Reach Out and Touch” are resonating with me today as I reflect on the state of the world. How can we contribute to making the world a better place? In the song, Ross offers valuable suggestions, and there are also various ways we can connect with and support our neighbors, as guided by principles found in the Bible. Each principle includes the words “one another.”
Thirty-One Things We Can Do for One Another
– Love one another (John 13:34 – This command occurs at least 16 times)
– Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
– Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)
– Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
– Build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
– Be like-minded towards one another (Romans 15:5)
– Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
– Admonish one another (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16)
– Greet one another (Romans 16:16)
– Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)
– Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
– Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
– Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13)
– Be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13)
– Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, 25)
– Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
– Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19)
– Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5)
– Consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3)
– Look to the interests of one another (Philippians 2:4)
– Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)
– Teach one another (Colossians 3:16)
– Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
– Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
– Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13)
– Stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)
– Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
– Employ the gifts that God has given us for the benefit of one another (1 Peter 4:10)
– Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another (1 Peter 5:5)
– Pray for one another (James 5:16)
– Confess your faults to one another (James 5:16)
Six Things to Avoid Doing to One Another
– Do not lie to one another (Colossians 3:9)
– Stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13)
– If you keep on biting and devouring each other . . . you’ll be destroyed by each other (Galatians 5:15)
– Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:26)
– Do not slander one another (James 4:11)
– Don’t grumble against each other (James 5:9)
