Relationships Matter

Did you know the word ‘relationship’ is not in the King James version? Business, concerning, in the bosom of and bound are some of the words used. Relationship is used in the NIV only six times. However, there are thousands of examples of relationships in the pages of the Bible.

A relationship is the way two or more people, groups, countries etc. talk to, behave toward and deal with each other. A relationship is how two or more people are bound to one another (Thanks, Webster).

There are many relationships: parent/child; child/sibling; friend/friend; man/woman; boss/employee etc. Philippians 2:5 says, “In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Relationships with children: In Genesis 44:30, when Joseph’s brothers were put to the test and had to leave Benjamin in Egypt and return to Canaan to get their father, Jacob, it says, “Jacob’s life is so closely bound up with Benjamin’s life, if he is not there, he will die from sorrow.”  There are lots of examples of God as our Father and he is very sorrowful when his children reject him. He even disciplines for our own good so that we can share in his holiness, Hebrews 12:10. (Read all of Hebrews 12)

Relationships with friends: In 1 Samuel 18:1 it says, ‘Jonathan became one in spirit with David.’ How many friends can we say we are one in spirit with?  Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times. Sometimes friends get cross with each other and that is sad. Jesus says we are his friends if we do what he commands. And if we follow his example, he lay down his life for his friends, John 15:13-14. Think about how you can do that too. Be the living sacrifice Romans 12 talks about. (Read all of John 15 and Romans 12)

Relationships with spouses: 1 Corinthians 7 talks about a man and a woman being bound to one another in marriage. We should submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, Ephesians 5:21. In this relationship, we should be best friends, too.

Relationship with the Lord: Do you have a relationship with the Lord? Let’s look at this story in Judges 18. The Danites  take over Laish. One main reason they were able to do this was the fact that Laish had no relationships close to them that could rescue them. They had no business with any around them and no support or help. If we do not have a relationship with the Lord, we will fall. Solomon had such a close relationship with the Lord, Queen Sheba came because she heard about it and wanted to ask him hard questions. 1 Kings 10:1 says that nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.

Do your past relationships affect your relationship with the Lord? I heard a lesson explaining that our relationship with our earthy father seems to determine how we develop a relationship with God. If we were dragged to church by a dictator father, we will see God as an unloving, Nazi. If you don’t follow the rules, you are punished. If we had an earthly father who gave us everything we wanted, we see God as a Santa and when we don’t get what we pray for we get mad at him and say he is unfair. There are lots more examples, but you get the point. The true God gave up his Son for us on the cross to save our lives from destruction. He pursues us, but does not force us to follow him. How will you use that information to have a relationship with the Lord? That act of love binds me to him heart, body, soul and mind. He is my friend, my spouse, my Father and I am his child.