Part 2
Good relationships are possible but not probable.
In other words, relationships require work and effort on our part to cause them to be what God wants them to be.
(Romans 12:2 NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Transform – God never just tells you to not do something without desiring to change you from the inside out to give you the ability to change. That is why God is not a God to be understood, He is a God to be experienced.
The World’s Way:
- Find the right person.
- Fall in love.
- Fix all your hopes and dreams on them.
- If failure occurs, repeat steps 1, 2, & 3.
God’s Way:
- Become the right person.
- Walk in love.
- Fix all your hopes and dreams on God.
- If failure occurs, repeat steps 1, 2, & 3.
Uncommon Commitment
Most relationships fail because of a lack of commitment. God has an unwavering commitment to you!
(Hebrews 13:5 AMPC) “…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] [Jos 1:5]
Take some options off the table in your relationships.
(Psalms 15:1-4 NLT) A psalm of David. Who may worship in Your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter Your presence on Your holy hill? (2) Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. (3) Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. (4) Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts.
We must be willing to be unhappy for a moment while we work out what is wrong in our relationships. In other words, we make the decision to stick it out.
Commitment means staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in left you.
Example of Blue Angels and commitment to each other. You ignore every other circumstance and stay committed to that other lead plane.
You only need commitment when you don’t feel like it.
(Philippians 4:13 NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
There is nothing that I cannot do when I do it through Him. Christianity is not learned behavior. He says, “I’ll do it to you first and then empower you to be able to do it. God never intended for you to just do what the Bible says. He wants to come inside you to give you the power to do it.
Say this: “He did, so I can…”
- I commit to prioritize you.
(1 John 3:16 NIV) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
- I commit to pursue you.
(Revelation 3:20 NLT) “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
- I commit to possess you.
(1 Peter 2:9 NLT) …you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession…
- I commit to protect you.
(Psalms 121:7 NIV) The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;
- I commit to purify you.
(Ephesians 5:25-27 NLT) For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her [26] to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. [27] He did this to present her to Himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
(Ephesians 5:32 NLT) This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.