How Then Shall We Live?

It was Leo Tolstoy who first asked the question, "How then shall we live?" It's a question that I've been asked regarding what it means to living loved by Father. It is an easy question to answer but a difficult one to live out personally. I was reminded of this as I reviewed the "one another" passages in the New Testament. These verses offer practical insights into how we should respond to one another. Interestingly it's personal counsel to each person and not advice for someone else.

Be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50)

Wash one another's feet (John 13:14)

Love one another (John 13:34)

Love one another (John 13:35)

Love one another (John 15:12)

Love one another (John 15:17)

You are members of one another (Rom. 12:5)

Be devoted to one another in love (Rom. 12:10)

Honor one another above yourselves (Rom 12:10)

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

Love one another (Rom. 13:8)

Stop passing judgment on one another (Rom. 14:13)

Edify one another (Rom. 14:19)

Be like minded one toward another (Rom. 15:5)

Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14)

Greet one another with a holy kiss (Rom. 16:16)

Wait for one another (I Cor. 11:33)

Have the same care for one another (I Cor. 12:25)

Greet one another with a holy kiss (I Cor. 16:20)

Greet one another with a holy kiss (II Cor. 13:12)

Serve one another in love (Gal. 5:13)

Bear with one another in love (Eph. 4:2)

Speak truth for we are members of one another (Eph. 4:25)

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

Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21)

Do not lie to one another (Col. 3:9)

Bear with one another (Col. 3:13)

Forgive one another (Col. 3:13)

Abound in love toward one another (1Th. 3:12)

Love one another (1Th. 4:9)

Comfort one another (1Th. 4:18)

Incite one another to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24)

Encourage one another (Heb. 10:25)

Do not speak evil of one another (Jas. 4:11)

Do not make complaints against one another (Jas. 5:9)

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

Pray for one another (Jas. 5:16)

Love one another deeply, from the heart (I Pet. 1:22)

Offer hospitality to one another (I Pet. 4:9)

Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another (I Pet. 5:5)

Greet one another with a kiss of love (I Pet. 5:14)

Have fellowship with one another (1Jn. 1:7)

Love one another (I Jn. 3:11)

Love one another (I Jn. 3:23)

Love one another (I Jn. 4:7)

Love one another (I Jn. 4:11)

Love one another (I Jn. 4:12)

Love one another (II Jn. 5)

Knowing how we ought to live is quite different from actually doing it but I am convinced that if I were to wrap my everyday into living out these relational realities that there would be no time left for criticism and the judging of others. So then why are these two relational destructive traits still so prevalent? I believe that it's because we have not yet learned how much we are loved. For me this idea of living loved is about discovering the reality that I am loved.... in each day, in each moment, in each circumstance. And the more that I relax into that reality the more it will impact the way I respond relationally to others. That is why I am convinced that until we truly know how much we are loved by Father our relationships will be afflicted with the destructive traits of criticism and judgment, which are activities I can find no instruction to be engaged in with one another.