59 One Anothers

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a
sincere brotherly love,love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
1 Peter 1:22 (ESV) 

Fifty-nine times the New Testament Scripture calls us to do something toward one another, meaning the church family. Serve one another, forgive one another, and submit to one another are just a sampling of these. But, it seems the most repeated "one another" command given in the Scripture is to love one another.

I think this is because, at least in part, we need to be reminded of this. Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ in the same way that we have been loved is totally new to us. We have been loving ourselves over everyone else for years. We have considered love an emotion most of our lives. But to love one another sacrificially, actively, and unconditionally and willfully - that is new. The only reason we can love one another this way is because God has enabled us to do it. Of course, we need to be reminded regularly to love one another and we will need to be reminded until Jesus comes back.

But primarily I think the reason this particular command is repeated more than the other “one another” commands is that it is required if we are going to carry out the others. To forgive one another is an act of love towards one another; so is serving one another in the same way we have been served. And, to submit to one another (to give up my own will for another’s best interest) demands that I love that person.

When we love one another sincerely and earnestly from a pure heart as Peter calls us to in his letter, I am pretty well convinced the other “one another” commands will come naturally. In addition, the watching world will be given the treat to see God’s Gospel on display among His people.

Below is an infographic I found at overviewbible.com that will give you a fuller picture of these "one another" commands. I pray it will prove helpful as you strive to love one another.