RELATIONSHIPS

By Dr. Rick Chesher

          We live in a world that, it would seem that relationships are not very important. There was one time in the United States that our family values, is what really set us apart from many other nations. And yet today we have declined to the point that relationships, in many cases take back seat to many other things. Jobs are often placed as the first place in a family relationship, stating that if I don’t have a job then I can’t take care of my family. When in reality we work to care for our family. But when these things a back seat to our love for our family then there is a serious problem.

          Sometimes we find that our jobs give us more good feeling than maybe our families do, or at least we think it does. Most times we believe these things without even talking to one another, we assume these things are what is going through our family’s mind. So, if we continue just assuming we move farther and farther apart until our love for each other waxes cold and we no longer even think about each other.

          Sometimes when we are going through something that is very tough, we don’t want others to know about because others would think we are wimps, or maybe they would think less of each other, so we don’t talk to our loved ones about it, and just make assumptions that they should some how know and it drives a wedge between us. When we go through life making assumptions we never really truly know what the actually thoughts or the true feelings of another person, until we set down and talk about it.

          We do the same thing within the body of Messiah. We start feeling that no one cares about us and instead of talking about it we just make assumptions about what is going on without even talking to one another. When we do these things we are taking a passive role in our relationships with one another. The passive approach is not what the Scripture calls us to.

          Look at Colossians 3:12-17, “Therefore, Yahweh’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on a heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has complaint against another. Just as the Master has forgiven you, o you must also forgive. Above all, put love-the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message about Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to Yahweh. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Master Yahshua, giving thanks to Yahweh the Father through Him.”