In no way is Christianity for the self-centered. Unlike idolatry, its focus is on Jehovah, not self. In addition, not only must you love God who you cannot see, you also must love your brothers and sisters in Christ who you can see (1 John 4:20-21). Christianity is a “one another” religion.
In his epistles, the apostle Paul has much to say about how members of God’s family interact with one another. There clearly is an official code of conduct for Jehovah’s royal family.
In Ephesians alone, the phrase “one another” occurs six times. Note the distinct expectations God has for His children:
- Be patient. “bearing with one another in love,” (Ephesians 4:2).
- Be truthful/honest. “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25).
- Be kind. “And be kind to one another” (Ephesians 4:32).
- Be merciful and gracious. “tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
- Worship joyously together. “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).
- Don’t be a prima donna. “submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21).
How you behave toward the rest of the royal family matters!
