RELATIONSHIPS: BROKEN OR WHOLE!
Let us recap our theme from last week. Relationships are emphasized from the beginning to the end of our Bible! God Himself IS a 'Holy Relationship' between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! God created man to live in a relationship by making Adam a partner, named Eve. God designed relationships! Not only did He establish relationships, but He gave us rules and regulations for our relationships both toward Him and others.
Here are a few things that God's Word teaches us about our relationship to Him and others:
- Love the Lord your God with all your mind, soul and strength! See Deut. 6:5 and Mark 12:30. Our relationship with Him is built on our total love for Him. His Word tells us that our love for Him will draw us to talk with Him, seek His will, honor and praise Him, worship Him, put Him first....on and on...which means to put God ahead of everything else in your life.
2. Then toward others, "Let brotherly love continue..." Hebrews 13:1 Our relationship with other people is built on our love for God!
Having said this, let me ask, "What happens when relationships get broken?" This should not happen, but let us face it, broken relationships do happen and cause us much grief. How do you fix a broken relationship? What does God's Word say? Forgiveness is the key to restoring relationships! Peter asked Jesus how many times the law requires us to forgive and Jesus replied, "Forgive....seventy times seven" meaning that we should continually forgive. Matthew 18:21-22. Jesus also gives us a warning, "If you forgive men whey they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you! But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14. Forgiveness and an attitude of forgiveness is essential in restoring broken relationships.
This week, think on forgiveness and the Words of Jesus and ask God to reveal to you what relationships in your life need 'fixing.' Ask His guidance in helping you go to that person and make things right. Another little hint is to do something special for a person or persons who have hurt you or who you have ill feelings toward. It has been my experience that by reaching out and making yourself do something for a person will draw you closer to them and help you to restore that broken feeling in your heart. By doing this, you are building a bridge of communication with that person. Try it!!
Remember these commands from God's Word: "Live in peace with each other" I Thes. 5:13, "Encourage and build up one another" I Thes. 5:11; "....consider others better than yourselves" Phil. 2:1-4; "...carry each other's burdens" Galatians 6:2. These are good words to remember and live by when you are restoring relationships with others.
Forgiveness is the key to restoration!
Pastor Jack
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