Scriptures: Galatians 5:14, 1 Corinthians 13:2
Insights on Relationships
1. Nothing matters more than relationships.
“The entire law is summed up in a single command: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Gal. 5:14 (NIV)
To experience healthy relationships is to know the joy of belonging, the delight at being known and loved and the opportunity for giving and growing.
2. Relationships are hard work.
“The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.” Gal. 5:17 (NLT)
3. The root of every problem is self-centeredness.
“Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you. You want things, but you do not have them…So you argue and fight.” James 4:1-2 (NCV)
1. I must be honest with myself.
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8 (NIV)
2. Acknowledge the disappointments in life
People who desire authentic relationships always prefer the pain of temporary chaos to the peace of permanent superficiality.
“In the world you will have trouble.” John 16:33 (NIV)
3. Live knowing eternity is only a click away.
“… We look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down – when we die and leave these bodies – we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands.” 2 Cor. 4:18-5:1 (NLT)
4. Take hold of God’s amazing grace.
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” Psalm 51:2 (NIV)
“God canceled our debt, which listed all the rules we failed to follow. He took away that record with its rules and nailed it to the cross.” Col. 2:14 (NCV)
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there” Gal. 5:24 (NLT)