Relationships Part 1

Many times when you mention “Relationships” among young people they take it as concerning boyfriends/girlfriend relationships. It can be that would not be the complete view. We need to think of relationships in a fuller sense.

There are relationships between the following

•          Husband and Wife
•          Parent and child
•          Brother and sister
•          Friends
•          Employer and employee
•          Business

Some of these you are placed in e.g. Parent and child. You have not choice who your parents or who your siblings are. Then there are relationships you chose as you go through life.

Many people have a best friend; they have known from primary school, they keep in contact throughout their life.

The dictionary defines a relationship as a connection, an association or where there is an involvement.

When we think of relationships we are thinking of good relationships and how to maintain them. What must happen for there to be a relationship? There has to be a getting to know each other. For a relationship to be strong it takes time. Every time we meet people it takes before we have enough confidence to trust people

All good relationships have agreement in the important things in life. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

We must be attached to people who have the same outlook and values both personally and religiously. You cannot run a 3 legged race if you both are running in different directions. The Christian should not go out with or marry a non-Christian.  They also shouldn’t  go into business with non-Christians.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

The ingredients for a healthy relationship can be found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

These verses are mentioned often at wedding service but we would do well to weave them into all our relationships.

We must always be careful what words we speak and how we say them. Proverbs 25:11 says “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

Many times in our relationships we go through difficult times and forgiveness is needed. Don’t be like the couple who vowed that they wouldn’t go to sleep without making up after an argument. They haven't slept for 30 years. Be liberal with your forgiveness. Matthew 18:21 says, "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"