Relationships
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· 13 viewsThe relationships God intended for us and how Satan is attacking them.
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God has a plan for us - our relationships
God has a plan for us - our relationships
I’d like to start today with a story from the book of Luke. It is a centurion, a Roman, a Gentile, an “unbeliever”. Someone considered “unclean” by the Jews, but yet look at his faith.
1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” 6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.
Here the centurion understood the relationship between leader and follower, master and servant. His men obeyed him as expected. He knew that Jesus was the Son of God and likewise expected His orders to be carried out. This man showed such great faith because of his understanding of that relationship.
God has planned many such relationships for us so that we can better understand His plans for us.
Genesis 1:1 “1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
And from that beginning God has had a plan for how it would all unfold and what the final outcome would be. He gives us a hint of what that will be and assurances that He has it planned all throughout the Bible.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
From the beginning God planned our salvation.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
From the beginning God knew that Jesus would be our path to eternity with Him. There was a plan.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
We can see part of this plan in how He laid out our relationships. On earth, we have basically six types of relationships: With our parents, our kids, our marriage, our friends, our acquaintances, and our enemies. Everyone we know fits into one of those categories. If you really think about it, the Bible tells us how to handle each of these relationships.
Our first relationship as a child
Our first relationship as a child
In Ephesians 6:1-3 Paul tells us of the first commandment of the ten commandments to contain a promise.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
That is found in Exodus 20:12
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.
20 My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.
1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.
Jesus Himself quoted scripture in Matthew 15:4
4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’
9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
Finally Paul says in Colossians 3:20
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
The court punishment for disobeying and striking your parents was death. It was considered the equivalent of murder.
17 “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
9 ‘For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon him.
18 “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them, 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city. 20 And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ 21 Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel shall hear and fear.
16 ‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
17 The eye that mocks his father, And scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.
God intended us to submit to their authority. We were to learn to respect them and understand that there are ones who know more that we do.
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
We see just how much God emphasizes obedience and respect to parents through Jesus Himself. When He was about 12, the family had been in Jerusalem but was returning home when they realized Jesus was not with them. They returned to Jerusalem and started looking for Him everywhere.
49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
Even though He knew He needed to be about God’s work, we see in verse 51 that He went with them and “was subject to them”. He obeyed.
We see it even more in His first recorded miracle at the wedding at Cana. John 2:1-4
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
Here Jesus just told her it isn’t time yet. But in verse 5, she ignores what He said and tells them to do whatever Jesus tells them to do.
John 2:5 “5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.””
Why? Because she knew that Jesus was an obedient son and would place her wishes above His own. And we see He does just that in John 2:6-9
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.
GOD MADE US TO BE OBEDIENT CHILDREN!!!
Why? Because we are HIS children!
10 “Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ There it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’
18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
And while we are all God’s creation and Salvation is offered to all, not all become Children of God.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
You see, it is at this second birth when we become children of God. When we accept the Holy Spirit which IS GOD. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
Just like children, we go through that stage of our lives that I call the “No Laws”. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Y’all all know the stage from the little kids. No, don’t touch that. No, don’t put that in your mouth. No, stop hitting him. It’s no wonder that one of the first words a child learns is no. My little sister called donuts “No no’s” because every time she went to get into them she was told no.
That’s the old law. Our “No Laws”. But you see, we are growing up. The Faith has grown. God’s people have grown. Jesus came to teach us what it’s really about. That its about who and what we are. It’s about our heart.
But you can’t ever get to that point of developing the correct set of personal rules unless you got the first set.
A child that disobeys, steals, constantly injures others, continually runs away, doesn’t develop a respect for their earthly parents. How can they understand the respect that they need to have for their Heavenly Father?
I heard “It’s my house, it’s my rules. As long as you live under this roof you will live by my rules.” so many times growing up it was ingrained into me. Now I can respect that all of existence is “God’s House” and its His rules.
As parents
As parents
By design, children were only to come into the marriage covenant. We are only children of God through the marriage with Christ. While all are part of God’s creation, not all are His children.
That child-to-parent relationship isn’t a one way street.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
3 Tell your children about it, Let your children tell their children, And their children another generation.
13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children.
As you can see, God’s instructions to parents center on their teaching their children His Word and His will. If a parent is living in God’s Word, as He intended it, they will most likely be a good parent. They will understand their children are gifts from God and they will take serious the responsibilities of raising them correctly.
You can take each and every one of theses verses and reverse them to see what happens without it.
Isaiah 54:13 “13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children.” would become “All your children shall be taught by the world and there shall be no peace with your children.”
Proverbs 29:17 “17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.” Becomes “Fail to correct your child and they will give you no rest, no peace. They will torment your soul”
You see Satan attacks this basic relationship of the child-to-parent to keep folks away from God. If you have no respect for the earthly child-to-parent relationship, you will have no respect for the heavenly child-to-Parent relationship.
Look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
If this doesn’t describe people who have no respect for EITHER child-to-parent relationship, I don’t know what does.
If parents do not teach the children the ways of the Lord, Satan will teach them the ways of the world.
Children were meant to be the product of another relationship. The marriage relationship.
In Marriage
In Marriage
18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
From this we see that from the beginning God has intended it to be one man and one woman. Not like the Hebrew fathers turned it into of one man and many women. Not like Satan has tried to corrupt it into since the times of Noah of two men or two women. God created it as one man and one woman.
We can see that God intended them to work as a team. First, He tells us He is searching for a suitable help mate and none is found. In Genesis 2:20 “20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.” A help meet is how it is described in the King James version. “Ezer” (ay’-zer) is the Hebrew for it. It literally means a helper.
We also see that the woman is unlike any other creation. In Genesis 2:7 “7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” And in Genesis 2:19 “19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.” All living creatures before woman were created from the earth. Eve, however, was created from a piece of Adam. She was special. She was to complete him. She was from the beginning a part of him. That is why in Genesis 2:24 “24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” From the beginning, they already were one flesh.
If you have ever been married, you know there is no more intimate a relationship. I’m not take physical intimacy, I’m talking true intimacy. When someone knows you as well or better than you know yourself. Sherri gets mad at me. She’ll start a sentence and I’ll already be “I know”ing her before she gets half way through it. “Well, what was I going to say then if you are so smart!” And, I’ll tell her word for word what was about to come out of her mouth. Irritates the fire out of her, lol. But there is no other relationship on earth like the intimacy of a husband and wife.
Ask a senior who has lost so many in their life and they will tell you, there is no loss like that of your mate.
So why did God create us like this? Genesis 1:27 “27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
We can find part of that answer in Ephesians 5:24-33
24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
John the Baptist describes Christ as the groom in John 3:28-29 “28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.”
In Mark, Luke and Matthew when asked why His disciples weren’t fasting Jesus replied in Matthew 9:15 “15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
In 2 Corinthians 11:2 “2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
In Revelations we see
Revelation 19:7 “7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.””
Revelation 21:2 “2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
Revelation 22:17 “17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
Only if we gain an understanding of how the man/woman, husband/wife relationship was made to be here on earth can we begin to understand how it will be in Heaven.
It will be the most intimate relationship imaginable. That is the relationship Christ wants with us. I once had a youth remark that if “in the beginning it was only the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I bet He was lonely.” God created us for an intimate, forever relationship with Him.
By examining the Biblical roles of both the husband and wife we get a glimpse of what it will be like when we, the church, are finally joined with our bridegroom.
24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
MAN! What a promise! What a way to spend eternity! Joined with the one we love! THIS is what we were created for!
But, we are not born ready for this relationship.
First we have to mature. We have to mature as people for an earthly marriage and we need to mature as Christians for our heavenly marriage. Our marriage on earth is to teach us our roles in the marriage with God the Son. And believe it or not, we must learn to listen to our Helper, God the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:28-30 “28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.”
You see, by undermining the marriage relationship, Satan spoils the relationship we will eventually have with Christ. If we don’t fully understand the role of husband and wife how can we yearn for the day when we are the Bride of Christ?
Satan attacks this with divorce, homosexuality and so many other worldly distractions. The biggest thing he uses is selfishness. True marriage through Christ is selflessness.
Ephesians 5:25 “25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,”
And these relationships affect the others. Our relationships with everyone else.
Treat our Enemies
Treat our Enemies
The world says hate your enemies and to do it to them before they can do it to you.
The Bible says,
Luke 6:27–28 (NKJV)
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
Proverbs 24:17 (NKJV)
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Romans 12:17–21 (NKJV)
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Our Acquaintances
Our Acquaintances
The world says to hold our acquaintances at arms length, make them earn our trust and respect. God says, Romans 15:1-2
1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
When asked who is our neighbor, Jesus tells the parable of the “Good Samaritan” which teaches us that any of us who shows compassion on another is their neighbor. So we should show compassion and love to all.
And in Matthew He tells us how we will be judged on treating even strangers.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Our Friends
Our Friends
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Those three as expressions of the love of Christ within us
Those three as expressions of the love of Christ within us
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
So those last three relationships show the world God within us. The love of God through us.
So what about the first three relationships? Well, of course, our love for Him shines through them, but they are there also as a guide. Only once we truly understand God’s intentions for those relationships can we understand God’s intent for us.
Signs of the end of times
Signs of the end of times
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Folks we are there. We are living in the days of 2 Timothy 3. Part of the way that we have gotten there is by allowing Satan to undermine the relationships that God created for us. Make no mistakes, there is a daily battle.
Ephesians 6:12 “12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
When we go to God in prayer we are asking for His intervention in our lives against spiritual wickedness. We are asking Him to fight a battle that we can’t win.
But you see the first prayer God will answer for anyone, is their prayer of salvation. If you have not asked Christ into your heart. If you have not repented of your sins. That is felt so sorry for them that you beg for His forgiveness and help changing them in your life. If you have not ask to spend forever with Christ. If you have not started a one-on-one relationship with Christ, you are fighting alone.
Do you want to face Satan alone? Do you want to live a life of never knowing Him? Now is the time to change that. Let’s pray.