One thing many RELIGIOUS people are not getting RIGHT

One word: RELATIONSHIPS

In the messages I preached last Sunday at our church, I focused on the television series LOST and the meaning of good relationships in our lives. As you know this TV show was about 48 people surviving a plane crash and had to leave all of their established relationships behind and start new ones with other survivors, many that were so different than they were.

I believe that God created us for deep relationships and not just to have acquaintances. 
I recently checked my Facebook friend list and I have 883 "friends"!!! Wow, I will be pushing 1000 real soon. But, as I reviewed my list, I found out that hundreds of these fine folks are pretty much acquaintances and not people I have a personal relationship with.

The things that are outlined below will only happen when we have deep relationships that are far more than casual acquaintances.

How does God expect us to live out our relationships?


  • By being LOVING and considerate to others
Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 


  • By being FORGIVING to others

Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
  • By valuing others more than OURSELVES
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

The New York Telephone Company monitored phone calls to see what were the most used words in phone conversations...do you know what word was the most used? You guessed it: "I"

Are you getting RELATIONSHIPS right? Our relationships with others are so important to God. He loves those that He created and wants us to love others too....

Join us at United next Sunday for more on this important topic...thanks for reading!

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