Who It's About!

When we love someone or are real good friends with them, we are generally inclined to be careful how we talk about or treat those whom they love. It is even possible to be drawn into feeling for those other associations the way they do. However, even if we are not drawn into a close association with those others, we still might treat them well OUT OF RESPECT FOR this person we do know. If we are not that way would it not imply we really don't care about our relationship with them?

Within God's family, we ought to be mindful of the way we treat each other. Remember, John stated we cannot hate our brother whom we have seen and love God whom we have not seen. ( 1 John 4:20) To truly love God would mean to love our brother (and sister) as well. Having the same Father in Heaven, we are family and need to consider our relationship with the other members of it.

In Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, he referred to them as "members of the household of God." ( Ephesians 3:19) He also referred to them as being "members one of another." ( Ephesians 4:25) There is a sense of belonging to be recognized. However, there is an upward focus that is to be reflected in our connection with one another.

In that letter, Paul went on to state. . .
"(20) giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (21) submitting to one another OUR OF REVERENCE FOR CHRIST." ( Ephesians 5:20-21 ESV)

The word Paul used here for "submitting" is "hupotasso" which was primarily a military term for "ranking under." ["hupo", under, and "tasso", to arrange] Do we have a humble enough spirit for such submission? Rather than lording over others we are to seek peace and mutual edification or upbuilding. ( Romans 14:19) We are to seek to get along. Recognizing that even as we steadfastly refuse to depart from the truth and Will of God, getting our way is less important than the Lord being glorified through our relationships. Since He is the Head of His Body, the church, what goes on between the members of His Body reflects back on Him. OUT OF REVERENCE FOR HIM we are to be continually mindful of the manner in which we cooperate with one another.

Making it about me gets me into trouble and often leaves others out of the picture. Making it about Jesus draws me toward working with others to His glory and praise. The manner in which those relationships are approached says something about the relationship with Him. May Jesus truly be REVERENCED by the manner in which we live and serve together as His Body.

Have a great day LETTING ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE BE ABOUT JESUS!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Relationships