Have you ever had a more beautiful, fulfilling, and harmonious love relationship than you do with your spouse? You never fight, bicker, argue, raise your voice, or demand your way. It’s always peaceful, always fun, and never insensitive.
What about your kids? Your kids have always done as they’re told. They’ve played well together, took turns, and even done their chores without being asked. What about those times that your kids have come home and said that school was fun and they wished they could do more homework? It’s great having kids. They make life so much easier.
Let’s not stop their isn’t it great having a boss – someone that tells you that you are great, never tells you how to do your job, or when to do it. It’s a true blessing to have a boss that never looks over your shoulder or micromanages what you do. That is such a blessing. Bosses are major perks.
If only…the truth is that relationships are hard. Our relationships are where the wars of eternal life and death are fought. There is not a day that goes by that we are not tempted to be selfish, conniving, or rude. So how do we fight these temptations?
Ephesians 5 and 6 deal with this dilemma and give clear biblical perspective on how Christ has made a way for us to live in victory. Lets evaluate what God says about relationships that thrive.
Thriving Wives
The relationship that a Christian wife has with her Christian husband is comparable to the relationship that the Church has with Christ. The Church trusts, listens, follows, and serves Christ. People that look at the Church see Christ. Why, because the Church loves Christ. If this is true, then a wife trusts, listens, follows, and serves her husband. People that look at the wife should see her husband. Why, because she love him. Is this indicative of your relationship? (Ephesians 5:22-24)
Thriving Husbands
The relationship that a Christian husband has with his Christian wife is comparable to the relationship that Christ has with the Church. Christ cares for, helps, nurtures, guides, and even dies for the Church. People that look at Christ see ultimate sacrifice for his Church. Why, because Christ loves the Church. If this is true, then a husband cares for, helps, nurtures, guides, and even dies for his wife. People that look at the husband see ultimate sacrifice for his wife. Why, because he loves her. Is this indicative of your relationship? (Ephesians 5:25-29)
Thriving Marriages
The bond found in a Christian marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Both represent oneness that signifies perfect harmony. Would you say your marriage is harmonious or a sower chord? (Ephesians 5:31-33)
Thriving Children
Obedient children can only be obedient when the Lord is their motivator. Children can only recognize the Lord as their motivator through the discipline and instruction of a father, mother, or parental figure’s Spirit controlled guidance. Do your children demonstrate obedience? Do you express the calm strength found in the disciplines of the Lord? (Ephesians 6:1-4)
Thriving Careers
The employee and the employer are held to the same standard. Your service is for the Lord. Not for a paycheck, not for recognition, not for a promotion, or even the pride of doing a good job – it is simply services rendered for the Lord. Why, because we love him. Can loving God be enough reason for you to do your very best at work? (Ephesians 6:5-9)
Christ should be the life source for every believer. The thoughts, words, actions, and motivations behind everything that we do should come from a deep awareness of what Christ has saved us from and saved us to. Relationships that thrive are found solely in the arms of Jesus.
What part of your heart is God asking to work on today?
What can God do in you to cultivate relationships that thrive?
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