The Church: Relationship Amongst Members
Central Thought: A cordial relationship among members of the body of Christ is advocated in the Scriptures.
Text: Philippians 2:1-15; Galatians 6:1-10; 1 John 4:7-21
The church consists of many members who make up the body of Christ. These members have many roles and functions which differ from one to the other. Secondly, they come from different backgrounds, temperaments and even social status. In spite of these differences, it is expected that all members of the body of Christ should live in harmony and relate one to another cordially by avoiding any form of discord or acrimony among themselves. There should be mutual respect and genuine love expressed towards all and sundry. We must learn to show concern and love towards one another. The way we relate among ourselves as members of the body of Christ as seen by the unbelievers will either attract them from Him. We must therefore remember the Lord’s command to us as His disciples. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”, John 13:34-35.
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What should be the attitude of a church leader towards the members? Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3; Isaiah 40:11; 1 Timothy 5:21
A good leader must learn to identity with those he is leading. This involves much more than just knowing them. It entails expressing genuine love for them and sincerely showing love, care and concern for them. He must love them unconditionally just as our Lord Jesus Christ loved all even to the extent of loving those who presented themselves as His enemies. A leader should also be able to accommodate all irrespective of their dispositions and temperament. He should treat all equally without showing partiality. Apostle Paul was very mindful of this fact that he admonished Timothy not to prefer one before another and do nothing by partiality. The leader must teach those he is leading the counsel of God as revealed in His Word. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost had made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His blood”, Acts 20:28. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over Gods’ heritage, but being ensample to the flock”, 1 Peter 5:2-3. A leader should also realize that those he is leading are at different levels of maturity. Therefore the leader must learn to relate with each of them at their individual level of understanding. He must know that as people are different, their actions and reactions will also differ. He must study them one by one, to know how best to relate to every individual he is expected to lead. A good leader must endeavor to uphold the flock of God under his care in prayer. He must be always in readiness to attend to their needs; both spiritual and physical. A good leader must be ready and willing to sacrifice his time, resources, energy for those under his leadership.
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What should be the attitude of the members towards their leaders in the church? 1 Thessalonians 5:13; Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 2:2, 4:14-19; Hebrews 13:7-9, 16-17; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Peter 5:5
Leaders who have labored among the members of the body of Christ must be respected, appreciated and held in high esteem by those they are leading and have labored for. “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake and be at peace among yourselves”, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13. “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn, and, the labor is worthy of his reward”, 1 Timothy 5:17-18. In addition, we must be ready and willing to appreciate and bless our leaders with our substance, not by compulsion but willingly. “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things”, Galatians 6:6. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you”, Hebrews 13:17. We must obey and submit to our leaders, not by compulsion but willingly and with joy and humility. We must also follow their good examples. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Therefore as revealed in Scriptures, obedience to church leaders is conditional upon their obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. We owe our leaders prayers and we must do this on their behalf regularly so that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
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How should we relate with one another as believers? John 13:34-35, 15:12-13; Galatians 6:2,10; Philippians 2:3-4; Romans 12:10, 13:8,13, 14:1,10, 15:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 5:14; Hebrews 13:1; 1 John 4:11; 1 Peter 5:5b; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:9-14
The way and manner we relate with one another as members of the body of Christ should reflect the character and nature of our Lord, Savior and Master, Jesus Christ. This is expected as we are now made partakers of His divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. All our relationships must be based on love. Jesus enjoins us to love one another. In fact He says that it is a commandment. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”, John 13:34-35. All other actions in our relationships with others anchor on love which is the bond of perfectness. This is because it is only when we have genuine love for each other that our relationships can prove to the world that we are Christ’s disciples. We must bear one another’s burden and so fulfill the law of Christ. As much as it lies in us let us do good to all men especially those of the household of faith. We must allow brotherly love to continue amongst us. Another major way of relating with one another to uphold ourselves in prayer, encourage ourselves in the Lord and provoke one another unto love and to good works. We must see to it that we assist the weak among us by strengthening them in the Lord. We must appreciate and hold each other in high esteem. “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests, but also to the interests of others”, Philippians 2:1-4 NIV. In our relationship, there is the need for us to show brotherly kindness one to another. We are being admonished in Ephesians 4:32 thus; “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you”.
Believers must portray the nature of Christ portray the nature of Christ in all their relationships. All they do must be motivated by love, “because the love of Christ is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”, Romans 5:5.
- Discuss the issue of reputation from the following scriptures: James 2:1-9; Mark 9:33-35; Colossians 3:11
Every leader of God’s people must guard against the worldly style of leadership. Jesus told His disciples that if any desires to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. “But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority over them. But is shall not be so among you but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”, Matthew 20:25-27. We see from the scriptures that leaders should be servants and not masters. They should be conscious of this fact in their relationship with members of their various groups and units and they must also realize that their leadership role is merely a service they are rendering unto the Lord. It is not supposed to be an avenue for exploiting the flock they are to oversee.
The leaders must never have respect with regard to persons; neither should they show partiality in their interaction with those they are leading. They must treat all with fairness and equity, not preferring one to the other. Jesus treated all equality. During His earthly ministry, He associated freely with the high, the low, the great, the small, the rich and the poor alike. We must realize that before Christ we are the same as far as we all are redeemed by the precious Blood of Jesus.
Daily Living Application:
As members of the body of Christ, there is need for us to relate cordially with one another. The basis of our relationship must be love. There must be unity in the body as we fellowship with God and with one another. We are fitly joined together. We are one in Christ, therefore let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. It is only through this means that we attract unbelievers to come and accept Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. Where genuine love exists and there is mutual respect for each other, there is bound to be peace, harmony and progress in the group. Also there will be the move of the Holy Spirit accompanied by the manifestation of gifts of the Spirit in such a church. God will in turn command His blessing upon them.
Memory Verse:
John 13:35 – “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciple, if ye have love one to another”