As Christians, we are “members of one another” (Rom. 12:5), and we have very specific responsibilities to each other. Our Father expects us to “greet one another,” “edify one another,” “comfort one another,” “submit to one another,” “serve one another,” “bear one another’s burdens” and “confess [our] trespasses to one another” (Rom. 16:16; 14:19; 1 Thess. 4:18; 1 Pet. 5:5; Gal. 5:13; 6:2; Jas. 5:16). Think about these words and consider this key quality that you must possess for these things to be possible—you must be approachable! Think about it!
How can others greet you, edify you, comfort you, submit to you, serve you, bear your burdens or confess trespasses to you, if you are not approachable? It would be impossible! Every Christian, without exception, must be approachable, and some (like preachers and elders) must be even more so. So, a critical question for you to consider is this, “Am I approachable?” Are people comfortable in coming to me, talking to me, being around me? Or, are they hesitant to approach me, feeling uneasy, uncertain or awkward? I must honestly evaluate myself!
Jesus was the most approachable person who ever lived, therefore, He is the perfect standard by which we should measure ourselves.
Being approachable requires humility. Arrogance is such a deterrent, but Jesus, the Son of God, “humbled Himself” (Phil. 2:8). Am I humble, truly humble?
Being approachable requires compassion. When one’s heart is moved, one will be moved to appropriate and loving action, as Jesus was (Matt. 9:36). Am I compassionate, truly compassionate?
Being approachable requires friendliness. Jesus was friendly, even to those who were not friendly toward Him (John 4:9), and even took time for little children (Matt. 19:13-15). Am I friendly?
Being approachable requires openness. Jesus opened Himself up to the point that anyone could approach Him at any time about any matter (Matt. 9). Am I open and available to my brethren?
Being approachable requires trustworthiness. People opened up to Jesus about their darkest troubles, because they knew He could be trusted. Am I truly trustworthy?
Being approachable requires a willingness to help. People who followed Jesus and heard about Jesus knew that, if nothing else was true about Him, He was willing to help people out. Am I truly (and obviously) willing to help?
To properly obey the “one another” commands of God, I must be approachable! How would Jesus grade me?