Godly Relationships

Romans 15:24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

     One of the unfortunate consequences of the technological age in which we live is the  impersonalization of our society. While computers, the Internet, social media, etc. have allowed us to connect with the world like never before, I fear that many of us are forgetting the value of building meaningful, personal relationships with those that we come into contact with in our everyday lives.

     The Apostle Paul emphasizes importance of godly relationships with fellow believers in the closing chapters of The Book of Romans. Paul loved God's children. He was not merely content to correspond with them via written letters, but wanted to be in their presence. This mutual, personal fellowship was a hallmark of the early church.

     Do you desire to foster godly relationships in your church or are you content to just show up on Sunday mornings and limit your involvement to superficial interactions with your fellow believers? If you choose the latter, then you will miss out on a wonderful resource afforded to those that are a part of the visible body of Christ: mutual encouragement, accountability and prayers. These are all areas that Paul addresses in Romans 13.

     Poet John Donne wrote that no man is an island entire of itself. This is especially true of God's children. We are all a vital part of the body of Christ and depend upon one another. Among other rich illustrations regarding our relationship with fellow believers in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul writes:

1 Corinthians 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

    This world is rife with trials and tribulations. What a blessing to know that God has given us dear friends in Christ to help us along life's journey! They suffer when we suffer. They rejoice in times of blessing. If you have distanced yourself from other believers I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and join company with those of the like-precious faith. You will be glad that you did.

Blessings,

Michael D. Green, Jr.

Fort Wayne Primitive Baptist Church