Healthy Relationships

Due to recent current events in the United States, it has caused me to examine how we, as the church, can be more effective in being leaders in the efforts to finding a solution. Whether it be the response to the coronavirus pandemic or the response to the racial unrest that continues to plague the country and the world, people want to know why and be able to get their questions answered.

To understand the root of these and other issues, we must turn to the word of God and understand some principles that the word of God is based upon.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1: 1-5

LIGHT VS. DARKNESS

We know that John is speaking of Jesus Christ in reference to the Word. We know that Christ came to give life and that that life was the light of men. This passage also tells us that, from the very beginning, light and darkness were created. The word “light” comes from the Greek word “phos” which means to shine or make manifest; luminousness. The word “darkness” comes from the Greek word “skotia” meaning dimness or obscurity. The word “comprehended” comes from the Greek word “katalambano” meaning to apprehend, attain, come upon, find, obtain, perceive, overtake. If you put these Greek meanings together verse 5 reads,

And the light, illuminated or made manifest, in the midst of dimness or obscurity (a thing that is unclear or difficult to understand); and that dimness or obscurity (a thing that is unclear or difficult to understand) was unable to apprehend, attain, come upon, find, obtain, perceive and/or overtake that which shines or makes manifest; that which illuminates.

Light and darkness were from the beginning and continue unto this day. They are at the basis of the battles that are playing out right before our eyes. Darkness tries to obscure the light. However, as long as Christ is in the world, darkness can never prevail. At the root of all evil, that we see, is darkness. At the root of all that is good is light. To really begin to understand why things are happening, in the world, we must understand the concept of light and darkness and the war that is on between them.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from sin.

I John 1: 5-7

The reason that darkness can never prevail is because God is light. However, we must walk in the light to be able to steer clear of darkness. If we walk in the light we not only have fellowship with him but we can also have fellowship with one another. The word fellowship here comes from the Greek word “koinonia” which depicts communion, intimacy, association or community. These are all aspects of relationship. So you can infer that if we walk in the light, we can not only have a relationship with God but we can also have a relationship with one another.

LIGHT VS. DARKNESS TODAY

But what is happening today. In the world, darkness is trying to prevail through the manifestation of evil. Racism is evil. Rioting to the point of destruction is evil. Murder is evil. … and there is a darkness that surrounds these issues that has become the main focus with seemingly no resolutions. Getting rid of the police is not the answer. Taking over portions of cities through force is not the answer. Violence, by any means, is not the answer. Disease, in and of itself, may not be darkness. However, taking advantage and manipulating peoples and societies for gain, at its root, is darkness. This is what is going on in the world and the idea of maintaining relationships has become a foreign concept. In fact, many relationships are being torn apart because of the stances that are being taken, on both sides of these issues, without regard to the “other side.” The “world” seems to be getting darker and darker.

Instead of the “church” leading, as light, far too often its members are getting caught up in the battle and taking up sides, as well. One of the areas that darkness is trying to prevail is through social media. Whether it be Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., those platforms have become the new battleground for thoughts and ideas. Oftentimes, people seem to need to take up their cause and find likeminded people to do the same. Platforms like Facebook help to promote these vigorous exchanges through the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence. If you have a cause, these tools will help put you right in the midst of others that share the same beliefs and support your cause … and then you can go to battle with others that are on the opposite end of the spectrum. In the case of the current racial unrest, Christian people are lining right up to voice their opinion and take up their cause. However, its oftentimes against other Christians who may not share the same view. Relationships are being torn apart. Facebook is making a lot of money. And darkness is prevailing in a place where light should be prevailing. What is more important, stating your case or gaining a brother / sister?

The real danger of the exchanges on social media is that the discourse is oftentimes not centered around the spiritual, its actually centered on political discourse. Instead of the people of God promoting that which is spiritual, we have reduced ourselves with promoting political arguments and agendas. As long as there is government and people, there will always be politics. However, spiritual issues are never remedied by political solutions. On the flip side, political issues can always be solved by spiritual solutions. The work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was based upon spiritual solutions in the midst of a highly politically charged atmosphere. If you have a hard time believing that statement, it is no different than what happened when the United States was founded? Within a very politically charged environment the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written with God’s providence in mind (Even though the issue of slavery marred the intent of these documents).

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5: 14-16

LOVE RELATIONSHIPS

It is the responsibility of the “church” to stop being a part of the problem (darkness) and to start leading the way to manifest the solution. We are the light of the world – that which illuminates; that which brings to light or manifests the solution. If we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth (social media battles). However, if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin! The message of the gospel is love. We need to be able to not only to have a love relationship with the father but to also have a love relationship with one another.

When speaking of healthy relationships (walking in the light) the first and foremost relationship must be with our father through Jesus Christ. Just as we maintain good physical health with proper eating, exercise and rest, we need to maintain healthy relationships the same way. Instead of feasting on social media, how about feasting on God’s word (which is Jesus Christ). Once we have gained the energy and strength that proper spiritual eating provides then we can “exercise” or put that word into practice. Maintaining healthy relationships takes work. It takes work to enter into our prayer closet and spend time with the Father. Jesus himself oftentimes had to climb into the mountain to spend time with His Father in prayer. Our earthly relationships also need time and effort to cultivate … especially when we may be on opposite sides of an issue. Lastly, spiritual rest is important in order to recharge. It’s fine to acknowledge when we do not know something. It’s fine to take time to gain understanding beyond ourselves. It’s fine to allow someone else to, at times, to take the lead and maybe we follow for a bit. Rest, our oftentimes, self-centered ways! Remember, David said, “The Lord is my Shepherd …He leadeth me …”

If the world is ever going to receive any help in the midst of darkness, Jesus Christ (The Light) must be lifted up. The only way that Christ can be lifted up is when they see Him working in the midst of His people. The only way we as a people can allow Christ to work within our midst is when we have true fellowship one with another. The only way that this can happen is when we have fellowship with the Father. We MUST model healthy relationships if we ever expect the world to change! … And Light WILL overcome darkness!