"House Rules" for God's Church

I occasionally poke around on Tim Keller’s blog and I happened to stumble across this list the other day.  Keller states that this list of “one another” commands embodies the “House Rules” for God’s church.  Needless to say, as I scrolled through the list I was very convicted by my failure to live out these commands, for they are exactly that—commands.  These are not suggestions I can follow as I please or when I just so happen to be in the right “mood.”  No, as a member of Christ’s body I am called to serve and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ, even when it requires sacrifice on my part.  In fact, if I am wholeheartedly pursuing Christ, I should be more than eager to lay aside my own pride and selfish desires as I pour into those God has so graciously placed in my life.

1. Be at peace with each other (Mk 9:50)

2. Love one another (Jn 13:34)

3. Be joined to one another (Ro 12:5)

4. Be devoted to one another (Ro 12:10)

5. Honor one another (Ro 12:10)

6. Rejoice with one another (Ro 12:15)

7. Weep with one another (Ro 12:15)

8. Live in harmony with one another (Ro 12:16)

9. Accept one another (Ro 15:7)

10. Counsel one another (Ro 15:14)

11. Greet one another (Ro 16:16)

12. Agree with each other (1 Co 1:10)

13. Wait for one another (1Co 11:33)

14. Care for one another (1Co 12:25)

15. Serve one another (Gal 5:13)

16. Carry one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2)

17. Be kind to one another (Eph 4:32)

18. Forgive one another (Eph 4:32)

19. Submit to one another (Eph 5:21)

20. Bear with one another (Col 3:13)

21. Teach, admonish each other (Col 3:16)

22. Encourage one another (1Th 5:11)

23. Build up one another (1Th 5:11)

24. Spur one another on (Heb 10:24)

25. Offer hospitality to one another (1Pe 4:9)

26. Minister gifts to one another (1Pe 4:10)

27. Be humble toward one another (1Pe 5:5)

28. Confess your sins to one another (Jas 5:16)

29. Pray for one another (Jas 5:16)

30. Fellowship with one another (1Jn 1:7)