Fellow Christians anticipate that others of like faith share the same spiritual interests and are genuinely interested in each other’s growth. Notice the following examples:
- “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)
2. “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
3. “Therefore encourage one another…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11a)
4. “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)
5. “…and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11b)
6. “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13)
7. “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” (Romans 15:14)
8. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col. 3:16)
9. “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” (Ephesians 5:19)
Again, this is a description of reciprocal action, i.e., shared by all as either giving or receiving exhortation, admonition, instruction, or encouragment. We must learn to be on both ends of the action either as the subject of the action or the object of the action.