Relationships Pt. Two
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
James 3:17-18 (MSG)
Relationships are messy, complicated, and difficult. The good news is that God's Word promises that we can live in a healthy, robust community if we do the hard work of getting along and treating one another with dignity and honor. How can we do this practically? We can start by asking questions.
In Luke 2:46, Jesus is in the temple courts with the religious teachers to listen and ask questions. Those who heard Jesus marveled at His understanding, which signals that one part of our development as believers depends on talking and asking questions.
God wants to develop our faith and relationship with Him by answering our deepest inquiries. To honor this part of our development, Pastors Kent and Alli received and responded to questions about relationships, using God's Word to offer a Biblical worldview. Below are a few questions they answered.
1. How do we have integrity in a culture of compromise?
As a young man exiled in Babylon, Daniel lived in a culture of compromise. However, while working in the king's presence, Daniel "resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way (Daniel 1:8)." Daniel's request was granted because God had caused the official to show "favor and compassion" (Daniel 1:9).
We can be a people of excellence and integrity in a Babylonian culture by having conviction and drawing a line. Daniel didn't defile his roots because his line was clear. The best part? Later in the story, Daniel is continuously elevated to reach the top position in the kingdom. We don't have to play the world's way to get ahead. When we surrender to God and live out our convictions, God honors us in the midst of Babylon.
2. How do we know he or she is in love with us?
Love is not a feeling. Love is an action, and actions are measurable. God's Word says to judge someone by their fruit, which is also measurable. If someone loves us, it will show. There will be physical evidence through the fruit they bear in our lives. However, we sometimes don't see the fruit because we're so hurt. Even when the fruit is there, our pain and distrust can blind us, distorting our perspective.
3. Is interracial marriage wrong?
Rahab was a prostitute from a different tribe and people group. She wasn't Jewish, but she heard of God's faithfulness to Israel and not only believed in God but became a convert. Now, Rahab is a part of Jesus' lineage. Interracial marriage is not wrong because Jesus' DNA is interracial and inter-ethnic.
To discover the rest of the questions Pastors Kent and Alli answered, check out the sermon for more.
