Instruct One Another
“I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Paul (Romans 15:14)
Love and Lordship in Focus…Paul’s command from The Lord to “instruct one another” means that we are not only studied and prepared to help guide others but that we humbly accept instruction for them as well.
As we continue with how we are to love “one another” we find Paul charging us, just a few verses beyond the command to “accept one another is another command to “instruct one another” in Romans 15:14.
Not only does this mean that loving others in Christ’s family includes that we are to teach and guide them but that we are to receive instruction and teaching from others as well. We are to be maturing and found competent to both give and receive Godly instruction! The latter is usually more difficult than the former.
This is a major part of how we grow in Christ and as His Body, The Church. We do this only in the goodness and knowledge of Christ!
In the original Greek the word is also translated as “instruct, admonish, or warn” and Paul states this after telling us to learn to bear with those who are weaker (just as those who are stronger than us do the same for us) by denying self and as we quit living just to please ourselves. This teaching is obviously in line with Christ teaching His disciples (then and now) to die to self, deny self and live for Him and others above self.
WOW! This loving one another thing is tough. Why? Because apart from Christ our flesh is selfish so we can only do each of these “one anothers” consistently and truthfully as we grow in our surrender to Him and His Spirit lives in and empowers us to do so.
How are you doing when it comes to admonishing, warning and instructing others in humility and love? Are you growing and maturing in Christ, The Holy Spirit and His Word to be able to lovingly and truthfully instruct…and receive instructions with discernment and wisdom?
Remember that in all things that we are to speak the truth in love in order that we may grow as disciples and as His Church (Ephesians 4:14-16).
Food for Thought…Instruction in discipleship in Christ’s Church and among fellow believers is maturing in the ability to both share and teach as well as being humbly willing to be instructed.
Love in Action –
- Spend time with Him in His Word and prayer daily – read and study the Scriptures in this post as a way to start
- Ask The Holy Spirit to teach you
- What do your opportunities to instruct others look like? Are you gracious?
- What do your opportunities to be instructed by others look like? Are you humble?
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Love and Lordship Prayer Focus…Heavenly Father, help me to be willing to study to show myself approved as a disciple of Christ who can graciously teach others. Help me also to humble myself and be willing to be taught by others in line with Your Word. Forgive me when it teach without grace and fail to humbly be taught. In Jesus Name. Amen.