How do we know the way God wants us to live? We can see the things He wants us to stay away from. Things like:
- Quarrelling, Factions, Arrogance 2 Corinthians 12:20
- Sexual Immorality Ephesians 5:3
- Busy-ness Matthew 11:28-30
- Sin Ephesians 4:6
But those are all about what we’re NOT supposed to do. And this life we’ve chosen isn’t one for rules:
For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 1 Peter 2:16 (New Living Translation)
A good place to start to see How God wants us to live is to consider the “one another commands” of Scripture. Since we’re also told to “honor all people” (1 Peter 2:17) we can assume these commands apply to those not only inside the Kingdom, but also those not yet in. These are good habits to get into as you fast from negativity.
1. Honor One Another
Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 (NIV)
2. Live in Harmony with One Another
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 (NIV)
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
I appeal to you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)
3. Serve One Another
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
4. Don’t Judge One Another
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s or sister’s way. Romans 14:13 (NIV)
5. Submit to One Another
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
6. Forgive One Another
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
7. Encourage One Another
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
8. Love One Another
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22 (NIV)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
This is the way we are to live. We can can we choose to, but it does take the power of the Holy Spirit. I also give some strategies in Life Above the Negativity – from 10 minutes a day and will be sharing some in the upcoming blog posts. You can also find it out by signing up for 40 daily emails to encourage you to live Life Above the Negativity. Love to here how you live out the one another commands. Thanks for leaving your comments.
