LORD increase our faith? What has faith got to do with having good relationships? EVERYTHING!!!
Our faith walk is not exclusive to only having needs met. It is necessary for dealing with all the affairs of life including THOSE we have to deal with: your spouse, children, friends, neighbors, colleagues, co-travelers in life's journey, and much more.
It is especially necessary because for the most, we respond and react to people based on HOW WE FEEL.
How we feel can be subjective, especially because of personal preference, exposure, experience, education or just the season of life you're in.
One thing that mars our relationship with others the most is offenses. There are rules governing every relationship type so that the expectations are different.
However, offense can come by the attitude or actions of the parties involved. Some you can do something about, others you may not.
James 3:2 says we stumble in many ways. We can hurt people with our words and actions or vice versa.
However, when we overlook a fault, we are showing who we truly are.
Proverbs 19:11 A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.
Jesus said in our opening text, that if you're mistreated by your brother or friend, bring it to the person's attention.
Some of us don't know how to speak up when we've been mistreated; rather we bottle it up or tell others about it.
First lesson - let YOUR FRIEND KNOW he has offended you. This first lesson is for those who NEVER speak up.
There are those who don't have a problem with speaking up. In this context, thumbs up for you!
Second lesson Jesus gives us is to forgive as much as 7 times in a day if the same person offends you.
Another situation, Jesus said 70 times 7. It was this statement that made the disciples say ‘LORD increase our faith!’
It truly takes faith to forgive especially because your feelings will react to letting go and forgiving a SERIAL offender.
Our relationships will bloom if we CHOOSE to forgive.
How else can you turn the other cheek when someone hurts you?
It takes faith to ALWAYS UNCONDITIONALLY love and forgive your spouse, colleagues, children, parents and your neighbors.
There are some people who don't have as much a problem as letting go and forgiving unconditionally. However, there are others who even keep records for every suffered wrong and mistreatment.
We all must come to that place as we renew our minds to truly forgive as we've been forgiven.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. It is quite true that some may not even acknowledge the ill-treatment meted out to you. BUT we forgive as we've been forgiven!
Bear with one another in love i.e. make allowance for each other's faults because of your love.
Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
The objective and mandate as believers is to keep the unity of the spirit. Do you know the implication of this?
1. Nothing will ever be impossible to you.
Genesis 11:6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
Do you see one very important reason why you ought to maintain peace and unity in your relationships?
2. It will also be an evidence to the world of Jesus and the Father's love.
John 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
This is the height of evangelism!
3. We will see the Father's greater works on the earth.
Matthew 18:19 “Again[a] I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Be content with putting yourself second
Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Something very important I must share on this issue is we must train ourselves to
RESPOND IN MERCY.
James 2:12-13 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
At every point in time, how you choose to respond to another's missteps will to a large extent determine how you'll be treated in a similar situation.
Remember, after David had the affair with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband, Uriah's execution, Nathan came with a riddle about a rich man that deprived a poor man of the only lamb he owned. This narrative provoked David who immediately pronounced judgement on the man.
I believe it was a scenario the LORD in His mercy had given David to determine His judgement. Rather than mercy, David demanded justice. And justice is what David got!
Galatians 6:1-2 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.
It's time you began fulfilling Christ's law in your relationships. There's so much we will gain effortlessly if we fulfill the law of Christ.
This struggling in life isn't God's plan for His children. SELF must be put aside. A lot of believers think that you'll be termed a fool when you walk in this light. However, in this light is your protection and preservation.
The burden you're carrying is unnecessary.
Matthew 11:29-30 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.
For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”
Go ahead and thank God in the spirit for your relationships.
Let go of every unforgiveness and bitterness. We're walking in the fullness of life.
Receive healing for hurt and heartache.
Thank you Jesus!
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Praise God!!!
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