“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” 2Corinthians 1:3-4 MSG
This life was never meant to be lived in solitude. God created us for relationship and He called us to do life with one another.
In the NIV translation of this verse the word used for ‘coming alongside’ is the word comfort. The Greek word for comfort is the word ‘parakleo’ which comes from the word ‘parakaletos’. In John 14:26 we see this word used to describe the Holy Spirit.
“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name (in My Place, to represent Me and act on My behalf), He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” John 14:26 AMP
We are called to come alongside one another, to comfort one another. God is very clear in His Word as to how we are to be with one another.
We are to:
Accept One Another-Romans 15:7
Bear Each Other’s Burdens-Galatians 6:2
Build One Another Up-Romans 14:19
Confess Our Sins To One Another-James 5:16
Encourage One Another-Hebrews 3:13
Be Devoted To One Another-Romans 12:10
Fellowship With One Another-1John 1:7
Forgive One Another-Colossians 3:13
Be Gentle Towards One Another-Ephesians 4:2
Greet One Another-2Corinthians 13:12
Be Hospitable To One Another-1Peter 4:9
Be Humble Towards One Another-1 Peter 5:5
Be Kind To One Another-Ephesians 4:32
Love One Another-John 13:34-35
Be Members of One Another-Ephesians 4:25
Be Patient With One Another-Ephesians 4:2
Be At Peace With One Another-1Thessalonians 5:13b
Pray For One Another-James 5:16
Have The Same Mind As One Another-Romans 12:16
Seek Good For One Another- 1Thessaloninans 5:15
Serve One Another-Galatians 5:13
Speak Truth To One Another-Ephesians 4:25
Be Subject To One Another-Ephesians 5:21
Tach One Another-Colossians 3:16
Think Highly of One Another-Philippians 2:3
Wait For One Another-1Corinthians 11:33
God has also given us commands on what NOT to do to one another.
We are NOT to be a stumbling block for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Romans 14:13
We are NOT to be boastful, challenging or envious of one another. Galatians 5:26
We are NOT to lie to one another. Colossians 3:9
We are NOT to speak against one another or judge one another. James 4:11
We are NOT to complain against one another. James 5:9
God’s design for our lives has always been to come alongside one another.
He comes alongside us to encourage us, comfort us, instruct us, teach us and strengthen us. He calls us to do the very same for one another.
It is not that God is insufficient to do this Himself in our lives, but He created us, called us and gifted us to participate in His work.
As a Christ follower we are called to this!
Who is God asking you to come alongside today?
Lord, thank you that while You do not need me to be an encourager to someone else You have allowed me to participate in Your kingdom work. May I have ears to hear the cries of others, eyes to see the needs of others, and a heart to serve them as You do.