Successful Relationships

Our relationship to God is our most important relationship.

Exodus 33:11 (New King James Version)

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend…

God and Moses talked face to face in the Tent of Meeting, just as friends do. Why did Moses find such favor with God? It certainly was not because he was perfect, gifted, or powerful. Rather, it was because God chose Moses, and Moses in turn relied wholeheartedly on God’s wisdom and direction.

Friendship with God was a true privilege for Moses, out of reach for the other Hebrews. But it is not out of reach for us today. Jesus called His disciples and by extension, all of His followers, His friends (John 15:15). He has called you to be His friend. Will you trust Him as Moses did?

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (New Living Translation)

That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

The secret for success in life is one word: OBEDIENCE

Through obedience, we develop a consciousness of God in our thoughts, in our words, in our speech, and in our actions.

Isaiah 40:8 (New Living Translation)

The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.

The Word of God abides forever and never changes. Be in agreement with God’s Word, which allows His wisdom, strength and ability to flow in order to establish God’s Kingdom on earth.

Matthew 18:18-20 (New King James Version)

Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.

The sincere agreement of two people in prayer is more powerful because the Holy Spirit is with them. When two or more believers filled with the Holy Spirit pray according to God’s will and not their own, their requests will be granted. When husband and wife agree on the basis of God’s Word, this counteracts the spirit of independence created by the Fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. As we hear from God, we have the power to bind the sin and loose the spirit just as Adam had before the Fall.

The key to fruitfulness in a relationship is to have reverence for God and to consistently keep His commandments in every aspect of living.

Matthew 6:33 (New King James Version)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

We are to move from the natural to the supernatural by separation and detachment from the world, the flesh and the devil (being influenced and conditioned by the world’s system)Proverbs 3:5-8.

Our Relationships with Others should not Compromise Our Faith

1 Corinthians 5:9-10 (New Living Translation)

When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.

Paul urges believers not to form binding relationships with nonbelievers because this might weaken their Christian commitment, integrity, and standards.

It would be a mismatch. Paul explained that this did not mean isolating oneself from nonbelievers.

1 Corinthians 7:12-13 (New Living Translation)

Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him.

Paul even tells Christians to stay with their non-believing spouses. Paul wants believers to be active in their witness for Christ to nonbelievers, but they should not lock themselves into personal or business relationships that could cause them to compromise their faith.

Believers should avoid situations that could force them to divide their loyalties.

Our Relationships with Others are made Possible through Jesus

Ephesians 2:21-22 (New Living Translation)

We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

There are many barriers that can divide us from other Christians such as age, appearance, intelligence, political persuasion, economic status, race, and theological perspective.

One of the best ways to stifle Christ’s love is to be friendly with only those people that we like. Fortunately, Christ has knocked down the barriers and has unified all believers into one family. His cross should be the focus of our unity. The Holy Spirit helps us look beyond the barriers to the unity we are called to enjoy.

Considering all that has been discussed, all that God has done on our behalf, all that God has given to us, our function now is to fulfill our responsibilities by the…

1. pursuit of excellence in a spirit of commitment, diligence and perseverance;
2. study of God’s principles;
3. exercise of self-control;
4. increasing patience and endurance;
5. honoring and worshipping God by putting His Word first in our lives.

Therefore, the love of God is demonstrated by our biblical response to others. God will provide and meet all our needs as we seek to glorify Him.