From Transactional to Relational: Embracing True Faith
Summary
True faith is not a transaction but a relationship. Many of us, without realizing it, treat God like a vending machine, expecting that if we put in our good deeds, church attendance, and prayers, God will dispense blessings and answers according to our desires. This mindset, which I call "transactional faith," is a dangerous lie that distorts our understanding of what it means to truly follow God. Transactional faith suggests that if we do our part, God is obligated to do His. However, this is not the nature of our relationship with God. True faith is relational, not transactional. It is about knowing and loving God for who He is, not just for what He does.
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people who struggled with this mindset. The Israelites, Jonah, Martha, the older brother in the story of the prodigal son, and the rich young ruler all had moments where they expected God to act in a certain way because of their actions. Yet, God calls us to a deeper, more intimate relationship that is based on love and trust, not on transactions.
A covenant with God is not like a contract. While a contract is transactional, temporary, and enforceable by law, a covenant is relational, eternal, and sustained by love. God initiates this covenant, and it is not dependent on our actions. Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful. This is the beauty of His covenantal love.
To evaluate whether we have a transactional faith, we can ask ourselves three questions: Do I follow God for what He does or for who He is? Do I trust God even when He doesn't answer my prayers as I wish? Do I serve God out of love or in hopes of receiving something in return? These questions help us reflect on the nature of our relationship with God.
Ultimately, we are called to seek God first, not for His blessings, but for His presence. True faith is about loving God for who He is, not just for what He does. Let us pray for a heart that seeks God earnestly and loves Him deeply, without strings attached.
Key Takeaways:
1. Transactional Faith vs. Relational Faith: Many people unknowingly adopt a transactional faith, expecting God to fulfill their desires in exchange for their good deeds. True faith, however, is relational, focusing on knowing and loving God for who He is, not just for what He does. [03:03]
2. Biblical Examples of Transactional Thinking: Throughout the Bible, figures like the Israelites, Jonah, and Martha struggled with expecting God to act based on their actions. These stories remind us that God's love and faithfulness are not contingent on our behavior. [06:30]
3. Covenant vs. Contract: A covenant with God is relational and eternal, initiated by God and sustained by love. Unlike a contract, which is transactional and temporary, a covenant reflects God's unconditional love and faithfulness, even when we fall short. [15:42]
4. Self-Reflection on Faith: To assess whether our faith is transactional, we can ask ourselves if we follow God for who He is, trust Him when prayers go unanswered, and serve Him out of love rather than expectation. These reflections guide us toward a deeper relationship with God. [18:45]
5. Seeking God First: True faith involves seeking God above all else, not for His blessings but for His presence. By prioritizing our relationship with God, we align our hearts with His will and experience the fullness of His love and grace. [23:48]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:03] - Vending Machine Faith
- [06:30] - Biblical Examples of Transactional Faith
- [10:55] - The Illusion of Preferential Treatment
- [15:42] - Covenant vs. Contract
- [18:45] - Self-Reflection on Faith
- [22:06] - Personal Struggles with Transactional Faith
- [23:48] - Seeking God First
- [25:42] - Prayer for Relational Faith
- [28:23] - Invitation to Deeper Relationship
- [31:45] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 63:1-8 - This passage highlights the relational aspect of faith, emphasizing seeking God for who He is rather than for what He does.
2. Matthew 6:33 - This verse encourages believers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, aligning with the sermon’s call to prioritize God’s presence over His blessings.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 63:1-8 reveal about David's relationship with God, and how does it contrast with a transactional faith? [15:42]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between a covenant and a contract in our relationship with God? [15:42]
3. What are some examples from the Bible mentioned in the sermon that illustrate transactional thinking? [06:30]
4. According to the sermon, what are the signs that someone might have a transactional faith? [18:45]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of a covenant, as described in the sermon, deepen our understanding of God's love and faithfulness? [15:42]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that transactional faith can lead to feelings of frustration or betrayal towards God? [03:03]
3. How does the sermon use the story of the rich young ruler to illustrate the pitfalls of transactional faith? [06:30]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of seeking God’s presence over His blessings, and how does this relate to Matthew 6:33? [23:48]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Have there been times when you treated your relationship with God as transactional? How did that affect your faith? [03:03]
2. The sermon mentions several biblical figures who struggled with transactional faith. Can you relate to any of their stories? How might their experiences inform your own faith journey? [06:30]
3. Consider the difference between a covenant and a contract. How can this understanding change the way you approach your relationship with God? [15:42]
4. The sermon encourages self-reflection on whether we follow God for who He is or for what He does. How can you cultivate a more relational faith in your daily life? [18:45]
5. In what ways can you prioritize seeking God’s presence over His blessings in your current circumstances? What practical steps can you take this week to focus on God’s presence? [23:48]
6. Think about a time when you felt disappointed by unanswered prayers. How can you shift your perspective to trust in God’s relational love rather than expecting specific outcomes? [22:06]
7. The sermon challenges us to serve God out of love rather than expectation. How can you apply this principle in your service to others within your community or church? [18:45]
Devotional
Day 1: True Faith is Relational, Not Transactional
True faith is about cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God rather than treating Him as a means to an end. Many people fall into the trap of "transactional faith," where they believe that their good deeds, church attendance, and prayers will obligate God to fulfill their desires. This mindset distorts the true nature of faith, which is about knowing and loving God for who He is, not just for what He can do for us. True faith invites us to seek God's presence and character, rather than His blessings. [03:03]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: In what ways have you treated your relationship with God as transactional? How can you begin to shift your focus to knowing and loving God for who He is today?
Day 2: Biblical Examples of Transactional Thinking
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals who struggled with transactional thinking in their relationship with God. The Israelites, Jonah, Martha, and others expected God to act in certain ways based on their actions. These stories serve as reminders that God's love and faithfulness are not contingent on our behavior. Instead, God calls us to a deeper, more intimate relationship that is based on love and trust. By examining these biblical examples, we can learn to recognize and overcome transactional thinking in our own lives. [06:30]
Micah 6:6-8 (ESV): "With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you expected God to act based on your actions. How can you learn from biblical examples to trust in God's unconditional love and faithfulness?
Day 3: Covenant vs. Contract
A covenant with God is fundamentally different from a contract. While a contract is transactional, temporary, and enforceable by law, a covenant is relational, eternal, and sustained by love. God initiates this covenant, and it is not dependent on our actions. Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful. This is the beauty of His covenantal love, which invites us into a relationship that is not based on what we can offer, but on His unwavering commitment to us. [15:42]
Hebrews 8:10-12 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."
Reflection: How does understanding God's covenantal love change your perspective on your relationship with Him? What steps can you take to embrace this covenantal relationship more fully?
Day 4: Self-Reflection on Faith
To assess whether our faith is transactional, we can ask ourselves if we follow God for who He is, trust Him when prayers go unanswered, and serve Him out of love rather than expectation. These reflections guide us toward a deeper relationship with God, helping us to align our hearts with His will. By examining our motivations and attitudes, we can move away from transactional faith and embrace a more authentic, relational faith that seeks God for His presence and character. [18:45]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: What are your true motivations for following and serving God? How can you cultivate a heart that seeks God for who He is, rather than for what He can do for you?
Day 5: Seeking God First
True faith involves seeking God above all else, not for His blessings but for His presence. By prioritizing our relationship with God, we align our hearts with His will and experience the fullness of His love and grace. This means putting aside our desires and expectations, and instead, focusing on knowing and loving God for who He is. As we seek God first, we discover the joy and peace that come from being in His presence and living in accordance with His purposes. [23:48]
Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek God first in your life? How can you prioritize His presence over your own desires and expectations?
Quotes
True faith is about knowing and loving God for who he is, not just for what he does. True faith in God is not transactional, it is relational. It's about knowing God and trusting him for who he is and not just what he does. [00:04:39] (20 seconds)
And so what I want to do today is I want to expose one of the most dangerous lies that keeps so many of us from real faith. Because unfortunately, we fall victim to a false faith that I call transactional faith. What is transactional faith? We tend to believe that God owes us. [00:08:55] (22 seconds)
A contract is transactional, temporary, and enforceable by law. A covenant, on the other hand, is different. It's not transactional, temporary, and enforceable, but a covenant is relational, eternal, and sustained by love. And there's a big difference. [00:14:49] (22 seconds)
And this is how God is with us. God loves us with a relational, covenantal love that is not temporary. It's unconditional. And it is indescribably more beautiful and generous than me paying for someone's house. It's him sending his son to pay the price for the horrors of our sinfulness. [00:15:42] (27 seconds)
And what's crazy about God is his covenantal relationship with us, it is not temporary. It is unconditional. Even if we don't live up to our end, God will live up to his end. Because scripture says this, if we are faithless, if we don't do our part, even if we're faithless, God remains faithful. [00:16:09] (20 seconds)
If you're doing God's will just to get God's stuff, you're missing God's heart. I want to say it again, and I want to let it sink in. If you're doing God's will just to get his blessings, just to get his stuff, you're missing his heart. Our God is not a tool we use. [00:23:15] (21 seconds)
Because true faith is relational. Relational, not transactional. It's about loving God for who he is, not just for what he does. So I'm gonna pray, and then I'm gonna let you pray, and we're gonna pray together. But I'm just gonna pray. Then I'm gonna let you pray. [00:25:23] (33 seconds)
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