1. 8 STEPS TO SCRIPTUALLY SOUND RELATIONSHIPS
Question: How can you glorify Christ through your challenges? How can you live as Christ?
ANSWER: be like Christ (Phil 1:21, Gal 2:20), grow in tribulations (Rom 5:3-5), learn to rest in Christ & not yourself (2 Cor 12:7-10), follow his Word (see below):
1. Pray
Phil 4:6-7 – pray while giving thx & peace of God will keep your heart
2. Mind
Phil 4:8-9 - You are in a battle of the mind, focus on what God tells you to
Col 2:10 - Focus on the truth. You are complete in him!
Rom 12:2 - Your life will push you to earth (work, family, errands, etc); you need to make time to renew your mind in the word
2 Tim 1:7-8: Don’t be on defense. You are not on defense b/c you stand w/ Christ. Don’t fear or react w/ emotion. Be stablished w/ a sound mind.
Eph 4:31-32: Remove ALL anger, wrath, clamour, evil speaking. There is no comfort in anger, emotion doesn’t validate your feelings.
Rom 5:8 - This is hard but you can do it…why? Because you can remember the truth. God gave you Grace when you didn’t deserve it. You hurt God more with your sin than anyone will ever hurt you. And you will spend eternity with the Lord. Is it too much to ask that you act in love to others regardless of how they act. Remember, DON’T feel wronged. You wronged God and he still sent his Son for you. W/ this mind you can remove the emotion and act in line with his will.
Phil 2:3-5, Rom 12:16 – Humility is the key. This was the mind of Christ!
3. peace
Heb 12:14, Rom 12:18,Rom 14:19,Matt 5:9 – Your goal is peace w/ others
Phil 2:14-15, James 3:16-18, Prov 26:21, Rom 2:8 – Disputing & strife lead to confusion
Luke 12:58, Matt 5:23-25 – Settle your problems before they escalate. Do not wait! Do not vent w/ others. Address w/ them first. Don’t wait!
How can you do all this? - Use God’s word…its disarms & provides truth in the confusion of contention. Don’t worry about persecution, it is small compared to what you will receive (2 Cor 4:17, Phil 1:27-29, 1 Cor 9:12)
4. words
Prov 17:27-28, Prov 18:21, Eph 4:29, Prov 18:4-8 – Key to peace is words
Prov 18:19, Prov 16:24, Prov 15:1 – It is hard to go back on your words; to gain peace make the first thing you say is heart felt apology; it will disarm the hearer; you are empowered to do this as you have the mind of Christ and the knowledge that Christ died for you when you didn’t deserve it
Prov 26:4-5 – You do not have to attend every fight you are invited to, don’t engage in foolish arguments, it validates the fool!
5. Do good
When something unwarranted happens to people they look for Justice!
Rom 12:10, 14, 17-21, Matt 5:42-48 – Vengeance is not yours. You are commanded to act kind to others & to bless those that persecute you.
6. Forgive
The key step is to deal with the issue. To deal w/ the issue you FORGIVE!
Eph 4:32, Col 3:13, Prov 19:11, Matt 18:21-22, – Remember God has forgiven you more than you are ever asked to. Jesus asks for you to forgive over and over again. Paul says to forgive others as Christ forgave you.
7. focus
Phil 4:8-9 – In tough relationships who hurts you more, the other person or you? You are the primary driver of your pain. Your thoughts when you alone at home, in your mind when you are driving, during quiet times at work, thinking to prepare for your next encounter. These thoughts are out of fear. But in the end you are the one that hurts you the most. Is this focusing on things that are true, pure, just, honest, lovely?
Titus 1:2, Gal 2:20, Eph 1:3,6 - Focus on what you have!
Jer 17:9 - Don’t trust your feelings. Trust the Word. Know what you have in Christ. Do not trust what you “feel” like you have.
Prov 22:3, – Don’t be afraid to avoid problems, tough people, etc
Luk 10:38-42 – Regardless of how busy you are, keep your focus on Christ
8. joy
This is you goal. Don’t seek happiness. Happy comes from latin root word “hap” meaning chance or fortune. You are happy dependent on your circumstances in life. But you live in a sin cursed earth populated 100% by sinners. Happiness will not be a good goal. But Joy does not come from circumstances. Your goal and gift is joy.
2 Cor 4: Joy comes from your hope & destiny in heaven. Heaven is beyond your capacity to understand, joy in that promise.
REMEMBER TO SEEK REPLATIONSHIPS!
Prov 27:17, Ecc 4:9-12, Prov 18:24 - Don’t let a poor relationship make you avoid making others. Scripture tells us to seek relationships!
Scripture is full of wonderful relationships (David & Johnathan – 1 Samuel)