A great mistake made by many of us is that we focus on self instead of others. The emphasis in God's word is not on self but on "one another." Our duty toward "one another" is summed up in one word -- "love." This love is certainly not the kind of love which is sealed with a "Judas kiss." This love is unpretentious or unfeigned. Let us learn to be:

Kindly affectioned to one another. Paul wrote, "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" (Rom. 12:10). The love Christians have for one another is natural and unforced. This love grows out of the Lord's love to us and our love to Him. The child of God has a new nature. Instead of being controlled by a nature of hatred, God's child is controlled by love for one another. This "one another" love must express itself in actions, not just words.

Loving toward one another. Writing by inspiration of God, Paul said, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Rom. 13:8). The debt to love "one another" is a debt we must always be paying. Sincere love on the part of a Christian fulfills God's law. Observe what John taught in I John 4:19-20, "We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" Remember, "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom. 13:10).

Like-minded one toward another. Paul prayed, "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 15:5-6). Paul refers to God as the "God of patience and comfort." Paul's prayer is for love and unity. Because of the patience and comfort we receive from God, the more disposed we should be to love one another. This foundation for Christian love and peace is seen in the expression "like-minded."

Receptive one of another. Paul said, "Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God" (Rom. 15:7). Prejudice and pride often cause us not to be able to receive fellow Christians. Some Christians are weak, others strong. Some Christians are poor, others wealthy. There are also Christians of all races. Let there be a mutual "receiving one another" among Christians. Those who have received Christ by obedient faith must receive all Christians with brotherly love.

Showing the same care for one another. The Bible says, "that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another" (1 Cor. 12:25). God brought the members of the body (church) together so there would be no rupture or disunion among Christians. There must be no division among Christians. They must be united by love for one another. Members of the body of Christ must have a care and concern for each other. This is a part of our Christian duty.

Bearing with one another in love. Scripture reminds us, "with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love" (Eph. 4:2). We do not walk worthy of our Christian calling if we are not loving toward "all" Christians. Nothing is taught with more force in Scripture than that Christians must show mutual love, bear with one another, and live in unity and peace. The means for unity is a heart which has these qualities: 1) lowliness and meekness, 2) long suffering, and 3) bears with others in love.

Forgiving one to another. God says Christians should be, "bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do" (Col. 3:13). Christians must be forgiving to one another. Even within the elect of God, people sometimes hurt one another. Paul and Barnabas had "sharp contention," yet later they forgave one another (Acts 15:39). Paul and Peter also had contentions with one another, yet they forgave one another (Gal. 2:14). It is our Christian duty to forgive one another and not bear grudges.

Comforting one to another. Paul said, "comfort one another with these words" (1 Thess. 4:18). Christians should do all they can to support one another in times of sorrow. Christians must do all they can to lift one another up and do nothing to deaden the spirit of another. Life is difficult. God's people need help and comfort from God and from one another.

Edifying one another. By inspiration Paul said, "comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing" (1 Thess. 5:11). Christians must edify one another by doing those things which edify. Paul wrote, "let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another" (Rom. 14:19). Christians must do all they can to promote the good of the whole church. We do this by edifying one another. We should set a good example for one another and pray for one another. Both great opportunities and great obligations exist for us to edify one another.

Considerate to one another. The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works" (Heb. 10:24). Christians must have a tender concern for all other Christians. We must seriously consider what impact our actions will have on other Christians. A good Christian example is one of the most effective ways to promote love and good works.

Praying for one another. James wrote, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). Christians are able to do much for other Christians through their prayers. James said, "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." This is true if the righteous man is praying for himself or others. The unrighteous man will not be effective in prayer. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear" (Psalm 66:18). In prayer we look to the grace of God.

Hospitable one to another. Peter wrote, "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9). Hospitality is love in action. Christians must use hospitality toward "one another." Fellow Christians must use hospitality to relieve those who are distressed, poor or homeless. "Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels" (Heb. 13:1-2). Christians must be "distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality" (Rom. 12:13). Christians must show charity and hospitality to one another.

Several "one another" passages are expressed negatively. Observe:

Do not judge one another. "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way" (Rom. 14:13).

Do not bite and devour one another. "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another" (Gal. 5:15)!

Do not provoke one another to evil. "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (Gal. 5:26).

Do not lie to one another. "Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another" (Eph. 4:25).

Do not speak evil of one another. "Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge" (James 4:11).

The reason the "one another" principle is so important is that, "we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" (Rom. 12:5). To become a Christian hear God's word (Rom. 10:17), believe in God and Jesus Christ (Heb. 11:6), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Christ as the Son of God (Rom. 10:9-10) and be baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). After baptism love one another and serve one another.

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PLACED MEMBERSHIP: Barbara Gough has desired to place membership with us. Her address is: 3158 Kendrick Rd. Ph 665-0053. We are so happy to have her worshiping with us as a member at East Corinth.

PREACHER: Scott Klaft will be preaching both services this Sunday. We support him in the Northwest Florida School of Biblical Studies. He is doing a great job in school and we really look forward to him being with us.

S.T.O.P. LECTURESHIP: July 22-26, Tradition of Men - Vain Religion. Just 2 weeks away! The Gospel will be preached, souls will be built up, God will be glorified. We have heard from brethren in at least three foreign countries that plan to attend. The insert includes the full schedule of services.

FOOD ITEM: Shortening

SHUT-INS: Pauline Irvin, Nellie Wallace, Annie Nauman, Faye Jackson, Clydie Morrow, Frances Massengill, Doug Kimbrough, Sula Perry, Lucille Leatherwood, Dorothy Johnson, Harry Prater.

July 8	AM	PM
Announce Singing O.Prayer L. Table C.Prayer Usher	Tommy W Bobby Bill Paul / Tom W Wallace / Andy J. P. Tommy S	Tommy W Orlander Rodney Colt Joseph Kevin Tommy S
Cam: Jim R Close: Edmond Sing: Chuck