“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 [KJV]
I genuinely believe that God has commissioned me to spread the word to four corners of the world that Christianity is a relationship, not a religion and that wealth, as in The Wealth Response, is a quality of living, having very little to do with money.
In other words, Christianity is a relationship that gives birth to a higher level of living. Since relationships at their deepest levels are about intimacy, “…gives birth to …” is the best phase to use.
For me, this revelation hits home in a couple of keyways. For one thing it is important to realize that everything in life can be boiled down to relationships and our ability to interact with _________ (God, self, spouse, family, career, environment, you fill in the blank). And the quality of my relationship with God, is meant to overflow in the rest of my life. Primarily, it means total acceptance and unconditional love and using that acceptance and positive energy to move forward for development and growth. As well as for me to develop a faith or trust that God will love and protect me even when I am totally exposed mentally and emotionally while interacting in my relationships.
This is intimacy at its greatest level.
I can only become impregnated with greater joy, ideas, and deliverance through exposure. That means that I must be willing to be vulnerable at times to grow and to move forward in life.
For most, if not all my life, I have felt like an outsider, with my nose pressed against a window longingly wishing that I could come in and join the party. Now, before I go any further, this is not about having a pity party, but to openly and honestly say that I have always had problems connecting with people in a heartfelt way.
I could point to being born to older parents or the huge age gap between my older sister and me. I could point out that I was ashamed to have an alcoholic father, so I went out of my way never to bring anyone home, resulting in few friends as a child and even fewer as an adult because I lacked many of the social skills that are developed in a healthy childhood.
When I look back on how I grew up, with the trauma of being in an alcoholic household and all the drama and pain that comes with that experience and environment, for God to choose me to talk about relationships and intimacy is proof that God has a sense of humor. Yet, I must also confess that I unknowingly carried that pain and anguish forward into my personal relationships.
In my professional role as a life coach, Bible teacher and minister, I have seen, and God has used me in His Holy Spirit moving to heal and restore many marriages over the years. Sadly, my first marriage, which lasted over 30 years, felt more like two individuals cohabiting rather than a deeply connected relationship, and it rightfully ended when I relapsed (again). My second marriage was far from a successful relationship. Filled with the difficulties of two people looking outwardly for a peace, love, and healing that only God can provide, it sadly ended with the unfortunate passing of my wife due to a heart attack.
I now understand more than ever before that no marriage is problem free. And I genuinely believe more than ever that the problems, attacks on the marriage and situations of life and living are really opportunities for growth and transformation. One of the keys to victory being that the relationship is one that is centered around Christ and learning to look at things from a Godly point of view.
A foundational Bible verse for me is Hebrews 12:2,
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [KJV]
When I add to that what 1 John 3:8b says
“…the reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen and dissolve) the work the devil [has done].” [AMP]
Seeing things from a spiritual or Godly point of view is to make the goal more important than the fight that it takes to get to the goal.
Jesus’ willingness to endure to cross speaks volumes to me. The Hebrew word for endured is “hypomeno,” it means to remain, to endure, to bear bravely and calmly.
This is where having the mind of Christ comes in. Thus, to bring the three elements of the Wealth Response into play, it means to deal with every problem with the heart of God, from a position of love.
- Keep in mind that Godly love is more about action, doing the right thing and the right or good feelings and emotions will follow.
- Having the mind of Christ means to look at things from a spiritual point of view.
- And being able to do this, making healthy, Godly choices, expressed by action because of the power and strength imparted by God’s Holy Spirit.
Here is where I’m thankful for the truth that God’s Holy Spirit is living inside of me. I can only follow Christ’s example through the power and strength given by God’s Holy Spirit.
So, if Christianity is meant to take us to a higher level of living, then why are so many Christians living like the rest of the non-believers of the World? We will take a look at that issue in Part 2 of Christianity is a relationship.
Leave a Reply