In Person Relationships: Continuing Each Relationship

Ephesians 6:21–24 KJV 1900

But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Corresponding Accountability

Knowing that the news of Paul’s arrest and captivity, he lets the church know how he is doing, his struggles, and his joys. He does this through a faithful disciple named Tychicus.

Colossians 4:7 KJV 1900

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Titus 3:12 KJV 1900

When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

This desire for the church to know how he is is a display of Corresponding Accountability.

“Overall, men are more likely than women to use nearly every type of illicit drug” - https://delphihealthgroup.com/treatment-guide/men-women-drug-abuse/

Alcohol: Around 82 million males aged 21 and older reported using alcohol in the past year.

Marijuana: Around 26 million males aged 12 and older reported using marijuana in the past year.

Prescription medications: More than 33 million males aged 12 and older reported using prescription pain relievers in the past year. More than 8 million males reported using prescription stimulants in the past year. Around 10 million reported using prescription benzodiazepines in the past year.

Methamphetamine: Around 1.2 million men aged 12 and older reported methamphetamine use in the past year.

Men are seen to be influenced easier by peers and pressure from outside sources/factors

In our relationships we should be ok with sharing our joys and our sorrows with each other. We should be wise as to whom we share these with, but there are trusted individuals that God has graciously put in our lives to share these with.

Continual Associations

Paul gives us great insight into how we should continue our associations.

He does not remove churches from his ledger due to sinful activities. If he had done so we would be missing almost two thirds of the New Testament. Yet he does desire that those participating in the sinful acts would see the detriment of their lifestyle. He pleads with them to put off the old carnal man that leads to death, and put on the new man that is designed by God to be Christlike.

1 Corinthians 1:10–11 KJV 1900

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

1 Corinthians 4:19–21 KJV 1900

But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

1 Corinthians 5:1–3 KJV 1900

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

God does not cast a person out of heaven because they refuse to stop sinning, but He does convict them and remove His special mercy from their life. You may be habitually doing something in your life right now that God is mercifully working on you to identify as sin. He wants your relationship with Him to be active and vibrant but when you keep forsaking the relationship for something that is offensive to God, He has every right to confront you on it.

James 4:8 KJV 1900

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Closing Appeal

There are ways you can let people know you care. In Paul’s closing appeal, he lets the church of Ephesus know that he care’s deeply for their continued relationship with God, family, church, and acquaintances.

How do you let people know you care?

Do you want to do extravagant things, but cannot?

How do you receive people’s care? It can be awkward. You may be the proud type, “I don’t need people’s charity!” I beg to differ, the Bible says that you do.

Romans 12:10 KJV 1900

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Jesus could have produced bread out of stones and turned dust into fish. But he received charity from a lad who had five barley loafs and two small fish. If the creator of the world can receive charity, who are you to turn it away?

You may think that the person sees you as someone that cannot take care of your own. That is often not the case.

You may think, “I don’t need this, I am waiting for God to provide!” Well if your getting some charity, some love, from someone, it is from God.