Relationships God's Greatest Gift (2)

Review: God’s desire for eternal companionship; Covenant: what it is; the Highest Relationship; Order of covenant relationship: God; marriage [if applicable]; certain core relationships He ordains [See 1 Samuel 18] [Philemon 1:10, 12, 17; 1 Corinthians 4:15]; certain family and faith family [Hebrews 8] ⋆Covenant relationships are not necessarily blood related! They are spiritual in connection! Covenant empowers and exposes! Covenant exposure is not punitive, it’s healing! Covenant people can say things to you that others can’t. Can hurt …. But does not destroy (right motives). There is a “healing hurt”. It causes reflection and healthy action. Covenant is a powerful addition! Example: Spiritual family; special friends, customers, clients, partners, etc. Violations: Adultery; Abuse; Abandonment Covenant relationships are not all the same. [i.e. marriage vs. core friendships, spiritual family relationships] Covenant relationships demand unconditional love, forgiveness, grace, but not unconditional everything! [i.e. money, housing, defense, etc.] We should HELP our growing and grown children be in the process of leaving relational dependency. [Becoming mentally, emotionally, financially non-dependent on their natural or spiritual parents.] NOTE: No direct command regarding this. No “one size fits all” instruction. Here are some principles: ADVOCATE: Become their chief prayer warrior. Pray for their motivational healing; right relationships; protection; success. AFFIRM: Become their “biggest fan”. Assure them you are FOR THEM! ADDRESS: At the right time, right way. With wisdom and self-control, set guidelines, boundaries; you are not their security, supplier or even “fall back” source. It is okay to help, not healthy to become their enabler/disabler. But, continue to AFFIRM their value.