Strained Relationships and God 1 John 2:9-11 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. *The foundation of Christianity is loving, strong, vibrant relationships with God and others. Anybody can be alone, a hermit, intentionally refusing to go near people and stay to themselves. The problem with that philosophy is that the Bible calls us to be a light to the world, to be a blessing in other peoples lives, to go and spread the gospel to the four corners of the earth. Gods command requires us to have relationships with people that are not perfect. These relationships, no matter if it is a spouse, family member, close friend, co-worker, neighbor, or somebody in your church, can test you at times (or all the time depending on your situation). Your spiritual maturity level can quickly be determined by examining the relationships in your life. *How do you determine your spiritual maturity level with these relationships? Do not make the mistake of thinking the number of relationships you have equates spiritual strength. Its not the number, but rather, the quality of relationships that is the truest measure. It is also a mistake to think that the less fights you have had, or the less strained moments that you have had, determines your maturity level. Its not the number of bumps in your relationships that matters, it is how you handled those bumps. Did you use Godly principles? Did you forgive? Did you correct when necessary? Were you showing love? Were you showing compassion? If your relationships are in trouble and you are feeling a lot of hate, please understand Satans darkness is coming to take you over! *When we fail to execute Gods love in our relationships and the love runs dry, the Word says that we are about to stumble. The last thing God wants is for you to go down this rocky road. It is dark and dangerous. It is depressing and lonely. This is very common when marriages and other deep-seated relationships sour because of sin and goes limp. You may be the cause of it and you may not be. But what you do with the pain of a broken relationship is in your control and God will hold you accountable in the end for it. How can the darkness blind us? Only light can blind! Deep bitterness and anger are two natural emotions that humans can possess. If you hold on to them, they will blind you from Gods love, His mercy, and His help and solutions. This is dangerous territory that no Christian wants to enter! So deal with strained relationships today before Gods mercy turns into correction and discipline.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:44:49 +0000