Christian Relationships
God created us for relationships. That is why he put us in a family. Relationships don’t just blossom or succeed, There are “How’s”or principles that make relationships succeed and worthwhile. When people that are in relationships don’t have a full grasp of these principles, they struggle and if care is not taken they eventually fail the relationship. That is why there are many broken homes and broken hearts today. The Bible says in Eccl. 10:15 “The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.” God has clearly stated the principles that govern Christian relationship in the Bible and not following them portend danger for any relationship. In Friendship, marriage, courtship, etc. we are to be conversant with God’s principles and be guided by them to have a successful relationship. The Bible in Ephesians 5:21-30 talks about God’s principles of how husbands have to love their wives and how wives have to submit to their husbands to have a successful marriage. The old men, old women, young men, and young women are to be guided by God’s principles for a successful home as mentioned in Titus. 2:1-8. Single Christian men and women are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers God’s word 2Cor. 6:14-17 and Deut. 7:3-4 strictly warned against this. To be in courtship with an unbeliever is an invitation to a traumatic relationship experience. In getting a job, people prepared by going to school to get an education that gives them knowledge and skills. Marriage is the greatest job anyone can ever have as singles men and women wisdom demand that we prepare for it both spiritually and physically. Spiritually, singles need to grow in their Christian faith and in bearing the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) knowing that one day they are going to be someone’s husband or wife. Physically, singles are to prepare for courtship and marriage by reading relevant books on marriage and courtship and by attending seminars and conferences that teach on courtship and marriage. This generation of singles needs to know that they must invest their time and resources into preparing for marriage.
In relating to our teens and youth, as parents and guardians, we must work to gain their confidence and understand them, we must also know that the culture they live in is different from ours. Without compromising our Christian faith we must be able to raise them up as successful members of the community. Our teens and youth must be provided with resources and information that are available in our community that will help them to excel. Parents and guardians also need to be knowledgeable and informed about their roles in the success of their wards.
This month of February is our relationship month. As we celebrate love and friendship this month, I pray that we all have a successful relationship in Jesus name.- Pastor Tope Dosumu