Great Commission Relationships

I just read a very powerful statement.

“Only the hand of God can build a relationship that lasts for eternity— a relationship with God, fellow believers, and those who know not the love and power of our infinite God.”[1]

This is so true, his hand was on his servants in the Old and New Testament as they built relationships! They, “Humble(d) [themselves]. . . . under God’s mighty hand” (1 Pet 5: 6a NIV).[2]

If anyone belongs to Christ, they are a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new! All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between us and himself, and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with him. God was in Christ. . . We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5: 16– 21 NIV).[3]

“What is happening to us that prevent eternal relationships from being established? Could it be our hardheadedness and unwillingness to forgive? Or maybe it could be because we have the “I am rightitis!” You know what I mean. The “I don’t care what you say I am right and to the hot place with you attitude!” Not trying to be judgmental here, just trying to be truthful.

When we choose to destroy relationships, we choose to be disobedience to God, and we choose live a lonely life.[4] We also choose to live lives filled with activities and here today gone tomorrow relationships! God created all of us to be in a relationship with him.[5] Then he expected us to worship him by being a member of a community of believer who are consistently developing positive relationships with others to grow the Kingdom Community of God.[6] According to David Wheeler and Vernon Whaley, “God is in the process of perfecting you and me for the task of Great Commission worship.” That requires relational worship. [7] Does establishing relationships with people equate to worship or Great Commissional Worship? Yes it does. We cannot witness to people without having a relationship with them. For the life of me I do not understand why we are all so ready to dump people on the garbage pile of life as if they are compost. What would we do if God did that to us?

Yes, I know that it is unbelievably hard these days! We live in a time when “feel good” relationships are good enough. Accountability for what we say and what we do to others is almost non-existent. We justify our actions by stating things like..” that is who I am and that is who I will always be,” However, Jesus has called us to be transformed from this world. We must try to work on establishing positive relationships with people.

The apostle Paul said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NIV). My whole life I have wondered why he said, “If it is possible”. Did you ever notice that? I think that it is because some people don’t want peace. They don’t want loving relationships that last forever. Here is the caveat..we cannot change them. Only God can –if they will let him! So love them even when they hurt you. Pray for them even if they, ^{“. . . .} curse you, . . . . and despitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 KJV). Why? Well, “Only the hand of God can build a relationship that lasts for eternity— a relationship with God, fellow believers, and those who know not the love and power of our infinite God.”[8] I know it is hard my dear friends. I also know that the hurt is so deep sometimes that it just tears you up inside. But ask God to help you to let it go.

Father God,

You know how difficult relationship with hurtful people can be. You also know how impossible it is to get them to speak with you when you may want to be reconciled with them. However, we cannot carry out the great commission with grudges and hateful thoughts towards others. We must make an effort. Forgive us of any sins we may have inadvertently committed against the other person and give us a heart that is willing to life a life that is intentionally relational for the purpose of the Great Commission. WE BIND THE SPIRIT OF DIVISION AND CONFUSION THAT THE ENEMY IS PUTTING OUT THERE TO DESTROY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES IN JESUS MIGHTY AND PRECIOUS NAME AMEN!!

Let us know how we can help you to establish Great Commission Relationships with others as the Kingdom of God grows from your efforts.

[1] David Wheeler and Vernon M. Whaley, The Great Commission to Worship: Biblical Principles for Worship-Based Evangelism (Nashville: B&H Publishers, 2010) Locations 1008-1009, Kindle.

[2] Ibid., 933. & Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009).

[3] Wheeler and Whaley, The Great, Location 1530-1534, Kindle.

[4] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NIV).

[5] Ibid., 1554

[6] Ibid., 2866

[7] Ibid., 1552

[8] David Wheeler and Vernon M. Whaley, The Great Commission to Worship: Biblical Principles for Worship-Based Evangelism (Nashville: B&H Publishers, 2010) Locations 1008-1009, Kindle.