DIVINE CONNECTIONS

hen God created Eve and introduced her to Adam, the first interpersonal relationship between human beings began. Our lives depend upon relationships with others and our decisions within those relationships. Jesus gave principles for relationships in Luke 6:31: “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Or, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” commonly called the Golden Rule. The world system’s Golden Rule is, “He who has the gold makes the rule.”

The world’s view of relationships is to love things and use people. The Christian’s view is to love people and use things. The base word for “relationship” is “relate,” which means having a connection between, interacting, and responding to, especially favorably. Synonyms for relating are to bond or commune. A relation is a connection, and a relationship is the state of that connection.

We have different relationships from conception. The Bible is a textbook on relationships. It tells how husbands and wives, parents and children, the elderly and the young, and generally how we as human beings should relate to each other. The Bible also depicts different relationships between God and man.

God communed amiably with Adam in the Garden of Eden. But sin severed that authentic relationship, and the Bible is the story of God restoring man to a cordial connection with Him. The Bible describes various relationships between man and God. In Jeremiah 18:46, the association is the Potter to clay. Here the Bible compares man to an inanimate object in the Potter’s hands. Malachi 3:17 represents those who fear the Lord as jewels. In both the Old and New Testaments, we see the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep. Here man is no longer portrayed as an inanimate object such as clay or gemstones but as a living and needing guidance and care. This is illustrated in Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

In the Gospels, Jesus speaks of the relationship between the servant and his Master. This association refers to one that is not just living, but a person who is expected to carry out the desires of the Master. The Master required an increase from His servants, rewarding the productive and reprimanding the wicked. Another relationship is that of the soldier to his Captain. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul describes the Christian as a soldier of Jesus Christ. In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua faces a theophany or a visible manifestation of God, Who describes Himself as the Captain of the host of the Lord.

The next progression in these relationships is a friend. The connection between friends is certainly closer than that of servant to Master or soldier to Captain. The Bible says in Exodus 33:11 that God spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend. Isaiah 41:8 calls Abraham God’s friend. God shared information about the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with His friend Abraham. He shared secrets with Abraham because He knew Abraham would command his children and household to keep the ways of the Lord. Jesus said in John 15:13-15 that they are His friends who do what He commands them, and as servants they did not know what their Lord did. But being friends, He had revealed to them what He had heard from the Father.

Even a higher relationship than a friend is a son. This relationship is one in which you are born into or adopted. It gives the right to the family inheritance. Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. First John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

The closest relationship we know of on earth between two people is a husband and his bride. The Bible says the two become one flesh. Of all the other relationships, this is the only one that can bring forth new life in the form of children. As the Bride of Christ, God involves the church in the most intimate relationship possible. Ephesians 5:2232 likens the relationship of a husband and wife to that of Christ and the Church. He’s looking for a bride without spot, wrinkle, or blemish. The decisions we make will help determine our particular relationship with God. Where do you find yourself in your connection with Him?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Suffragan Bishop Leonard Scott pastors Rock Church in Indianapolis, Indiana and has traveled the United States and overseas proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has recorded several albums, been nominated for Stellar and Dove Awards, and received the Stellar Honors Hall of Fame Award and the Gospel Music Association Legacy Award. His latest CD is entitled, Keep Hymns Alive, and features Rance Allen, Ruth LaOntra, C. Shawn Tyson, Quinton Elliott, Kelontae Gavin, Sherwin Gardner, and Thomas & The Situation.

Suffragan Bishop Scott has written three books: Soaring with Eagles, Be Lifted Up, and The Ultimate Boost from Within: 31 Days to Health, Wealth, Wholeness and Happiness. He has written several articles for the Christian Outlook Magazine and The Apostolic Way.

He and his wife Christine have seven children and 17 grandchildren. All of their music, DVDs and books are available at bishoplscott.com/shop and Amazon.com. You can visit them at Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

The Holy Spirit has been dealing with me concerning authentic spirituality and the necessity for those who are filled with the Spirit to be led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14 KJV)

BIBLICAL SPIRITUALITY MEANS:

1. To be born of God (John 1:12-13, John 3:5-8, I John 4:7)

2. To be saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8)

3. To be surrendered, obedient, and living according to the directives of the Spirit (Romans 8:4-11)

4. To be empowered by the Spirit to draw others to Christ (John 12:32)

What the world needs now is not to know what church you are a member of or what your denominational or organizational affiliation may be. They need to know who your God is and how your relationship with Him impacts the direction, decisions, and the quality of your life spiritually and naturally. Some of you who claim to have the Holy Ghost DO NOT have it, and your lack of spiritual fruit, spiritual zeal and spiritual impetus is

By Suffragan Bishop C. Shawn Tyson

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, YE WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that SOWETH TO THE SPIRIT shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:1, 8 KJV) proof that you do not have it. (Romans 8:16-17,19 KJV). Some will say, “But, Pastor Tyson, I spoke in tongues!” I will not dispute that. But my question is, who gave you the utterance of the tongues you spoke with? (Acts 2:4 KJV) Were you speaking with tongues as the SPIRIT OF GOD gave the utterance or are you one of the many victims of the spirit of “Simon Says” who were mimicking the tongues of others who they have heard speak in tongues. Or are you one of the many who had the misfortune of being under the oversight of a spiritual novice who was so anxious to add another number to their Holy Ghost tally sheet that they released you from the presence of the Lord before you were FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST? (John 7:37-39 KJV)

What do people see when they see you? Do they see holiness? Do they see God, or do they see religion? Do they see a change, or do they see church?

Many who have had a spiritual experience with God, have not gone on to develop a spiritual RELATIONSHIP with Him (Hosea 6:3 KJV;1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV). After walking with God for a while, you must be careful that you do not become confined and defined by religious routines that lull you into a comfort zone where you lose your expectation for new things. We should always be moving from faith to faith and glory to glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV)