Re-Defining Relationships!

THE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ is described as the gospel of : God(Rom. 1:1), Christ(2 Cor 2:12), The Kingdom(Matt. 24:14), the grace of God(Acts 20:24), peace(Eph. 6:15) and salvation        (Eph. 1:13). The gospel is the revelation of the mystery(hidden truth) of Christ! It is the revelation that we (Gentiles) are fellow heirs (with Jews) and partakers of God’s promise in Christ! See Eph. 3: 1-6 and Eph. Chapter 2. The Gospel is the good news that we are the seed of Abraham and blessed with faithful Abraham in Christ     (Gal. 3:26-29)! Through Christ we receive the blessing of Abraham (Gal. 3:13-14, 16)! God was at work in Abraham’s life to bring Christ into the world. Christ is the ultimate Seed of Abraham through which all nations may be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3)! There are many aspects to the gospel and the kingdom of God. The gospel is indeed good news, but it is more than good news. It is the power of God unto salvation! Romans 1:16. The gospel of the Kingdom of God will bring about real change in your life when believed and received in your heart! Sometimes the changes that are required of us when we obey the gospel will be challenging or difficult, but we will be blessed! One such challenge is having to re-define some of our relationships!

As Jesus went about preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God (Matthew 1:14-15)  and teaching the word of God we see new relationships are defined ( Mark 3:31-45). While Jesus was teaching the word of God, His mother and brothers came to see him and were calling for him. The multitude of people surrounding Jesus told him that his mother and brothers were seeking him. Jesus then looked round about those who sat around him and said “Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” Here, Jesus is re-defining some relationships. He re-defines his most intimate, close and coveted relationships base on who is doing the will of God!

Like Jesus, we should define our most intimate, close and coveted relationships based on who is doing the will of God! Now, God is love and the gospel is a love message! But people don’t always receive that love, or if they do, they don’t always abide in that love. This is not a hate message, this is a help message! Jesus came to save men’s lives, not to destroy them (Luke 9:56). Even though Jesus purpose was to save men’s lives and enable them to have blessed relationships, He also knew that the truth of the gospel and the word of God would also bring division to family and other close relationships! See Luke 12:49-53. Listen, when people refuse the truth and light of the gospel or word of God, or become offended and walk away from God ordained relationships because of their own selfish, rebellious and mis-guided reasons, we must re-define those relationships. Many Christians have brought division and pain into their own families and local church  simply because they refuse to acknowledge their sin and repent. They rather blame others for their own sinful actions!

Unfortunately, much of the Body of Christ (the Church) is too weak to stand up to other Christians when they are wrong and tell them the truth. In fact, some even get angry and offended at the pastor(if he has enough guts!) and other believers who stand up in righteousness and speak the truth! Instead, many weak Christians play ‘lovey-dovey, kissy-face’ with people who are in open rebellion to the word of God! They enable this ungodly behavior by their fellowship with them at dinners, parties and various events, ignoring their sin. Yet, if we would only walk uprightly and obey the word of God, we could work through many challenges, restore people and have strong relationships in the church.

The word of God says to mark those who cause divisions and offences that is contrary to the word you have learned and avoid them! See Romans 16:17-18. The word of God says avoid those who are offended and cause division, it didn’t say fellowship with them! It didn’t say grab a bucket of fried chicken or a large pizza and go watch the football game with them! Many who are offended and cause division in the church are only serving their own desires and really don’t give a rip about you or your spiritual welfare! In fact, they work real hard to deceive you with good words and fair speeches the apostle Paul says in Romans 16:18. The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 says if you know that a brother or sister is a fornicator, don’t associate  or even eat with them! Bishop is this really in the bible? Yes! Please read it for yourself. Paul is not finished with this issue! He says in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” The word of God says when a brother in Christ becomes disorderly( in offence,in rebellion, in sin, etc.) we are to withdraw ourselves from them. It does not say praise God with the orderly on Sunday morning and then hangout with the disorderly on Sunday evening! Why? Because God wants those who are offended and in sin to recognize their sins have consequences and to be ashamed of their actions and repent. But they won’t be ashamed of their actions when the orderly ones in the church enable their behavior by hanging-out with them! 2 Thessalonians 3:14 says, ” And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” When people behave in such fashion we sometimes have to re-defines our relationships. We are not talking about hating on folk, but rather warning them as a brother. See 2 Thessalonians 3:15.

There are so many examples in the bible where relationships had to be re-defined because people refused to do the will of God. Take king Saul for example. Because of his disobedience to the word of God it cost him his kingship and ultimately his life and the life of his son Jonathan. Now, it’s important to understand that Samuel the prophet liked king Saul and King Saul liked him. In, fact they were close to each other relationship wise. But Samuel had to obey God and rebuke Saul because of his disobedience! Read 1 Samuel chapter 15. Even after Saul admitted his sin, he still wanted Samuel to fellowship with him so he could look right in the eyes of the people! 1 Samuel 15:30. Often when people get offended and leave the church, they try to reach back into the local assembly and draw other people into their fellowship to show everyone else how righteous they are and how wrong the preacher or church leadership is. These offended people especially target fellowship from church leaders (like Samuel was) because in their eyes it really validates their offense! Samuel knew God had rejected Saul “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul:”    -1 Samuel 15:35. Even though Samuel avoided company with Saul, he still mourned for Saul. Eventually the Lord had to rebuke Samuel because he could not let go of his friendship with Saul. In 1 Samuel 16:1, the Lord spoke to  Samuel. “And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?”

Samuel found himself in a challenging and difficult situation because of his friendship with Saul! Samuel had to re-define his relationship with Saul. He had to choose righteousness and obedience to God over friendship with Saul! God told Samuel to go and anoint David as King. In other words, God told Samuel to release Saul and move on! God always has other people he will use to accomplish his plans and purpose! It is my prayer that God will give you understanding and wisdom in these matters. I pray you have the strength and courage to re-define your relationships, not according to offense or friendship, but according to him that is doing the will of God!