Honoring God in Relationships: A Call to Holiness

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves waiting, and it's in these moments of anticipation that our faith is both tested and strengthened. Hope deferred can indeed make the heart sick, but when our desires are fulfilled, it is like a tree of life, nourishing and sustaining us. This truth is especially relevant when we consider our relationships and their alignment with God's will for our lives.

When we contemplate the nature of our relationships, we must ask ourselves whether they honor God. This is the ultimate litmus test for any relationship we enter into. To honor God means to reflect His love, point others to Jesus, and remain holy. Holiness is not an outdated concept; it is a call to live a life that is set apart, a life that strives for purity through grace and mercy. We are reminded that without holiness, we cannot see God.

In our modern world, where instant gratification is often sought after, we must resist the temptation to compromise our moral convictions for fleeting pleasures. It is not uncommon to see believers crossing lines they vowed never to cross, engaging in behaviors that contradict their professed beliefs. This is a call to self-control and a reminder that our actions have consequences not only for ourselves but also for our relationship with God.

As we navigate the complexities of relationships, we must also consider the importance of being missional in our approach to life. Our mission is not confined to organized trips or events; it is a daily calling to live out the gospel wherever we are. This missional living extends to our romantic relationships as well. We must ask ourselves if our relationships are just good, or if they are God's best for us. Settling for less than God's best can lead to a life of compromise and missed opportunities to fulfill the call He has placed on our lives.

In the pursuit of relationships, we must also understand the difference between being complemented and being completed. No human relationship can complete us; only a relationship with Jesus Christ can fill the void in our hearts. A healthy relationship should complement who we are in Christ, not attempt to fill a gap that only He can fill.

As we seek to honor God in our relationships, let us be reminded of His love for us—a love so profound that He sent His Son to die for us even at our worst. This love is the foundation upon which we build our lives and our relationships. It is with this understanding that we can truly aspire to live a life that honors God, marked by holiness, patience, and a commitment to His best for us.

Key Takeaways:

- Honoring God in our relationships requires a reflection of His love, pointing others to Jesus, and maintaining holiness. These are not outdated concepts but essential aspects of a life lived in obedience to God's Word. [34:34]

- Holiness is not about perfection but about pursuing purity through grace and mercy, understanding that we will stumble but must rise again, embracing the new beginnings that God offers us. [35:02]

- Missional living is not limited to specific events; it is a daily commitment to embody the gospel in all aspects of life, including our romantic relationships. This lifestyle challenges us to be missionaries in our own communities, reflecting Jesus' love in every interaction. [07:08]

- The difference between being complemented and completed in a relationship is crucial. Only Christ can complete us, and our relationships should enhance and improve who we are in Him, not attempt to fill a void that only He can fill. [22:16]

- God's love for us is so immense that He gave His Son for us at our worst. This love is the standard by which we should measure all our relationships, seeking to experience and extend this unconditional love in our interactions with others. [32:06]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 13:12 (NIV): "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
2. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (NIV): "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God."
3. Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV): "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 13:12, what are the effects of hope deferred and a longing fulfilled?
2. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, what reasons does Paul give for not being yoked with unbelievers?
3. How does Paul describe his state of contentment in Philippians 4:11-13, and what is the source of his strength?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of being equally yoked in relationships? ([08:43])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might Paul emphasize the importance of not being yoked with unbelievers in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about relationships? ([08:43])
2. How does the concept of contentment in Philippians 4:11-13 apply to our pursuit of relationships, according to the sermon? ([18:46])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the difference between being complemented and being completed in a relationship? How does this align with the biblical passages? ([14:38])
4. How does the sermon define missional living, and how does it extend to our romantic relationships? ([07:08])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your hope was deferred. How did it affect you, and how did you find fulfillment? How can you apply Proverbs 13:12 to your current relationships?
2. Are there any relationships in your life where you feel unequally yoked? How can you address this in a way that honors God, as suggested in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16? ([08:43])
3. In what ways can you cultivate contentment in your life, especially in your relationships, as Paul describes in Philippians 4:11-13? ([18:46])
4. How can you ensure that your relationships reflect the love of God and point others to Jesus? What practical steps can you take to maintain holiness in your relationships? ([33:58])
5. Think about your current or past relationships. Were they more about complementing each other or trying to complete each other? How can you shift your perspective to align with the sermon’s teaching on this? ([14:38])
6. How can you live missionally in your daily life, including your romantic relationships? What changes can you make to embody the gospel more effectively? ([07:08])
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about God’s best versus settling for good. Are there areas in your life where you might be settling? How can you seek God’s best for you? ([29:24])

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting Divine Love in Relationships
In the quest to honor God within the context of our relationships, it is imperative to mirror His love. This reflection of divine love is not merely about affection but about actively pointing others towards Jesus and living a life of holiness. Relationships, whether platonic or romantic, should serve as conduits through which the love of God flows to others. By doing so, one's life becomes a testament to the transformative power of God's love. Holiness, in this sense, is not about adhering to a set of rules but about embodying the character of Christ, which naturally leads to a life that honors God and inspires others to seek Him.

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10 ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate God's love in your current relationships and point others towards Jesus today?

Day 2: Pursuing Purity Through Grace
Holiness is often misunderstood as a demand for perfection, but it is truly about the pursuit of purity through the grace and mercy extended to us by God. It is a journey marked by humility and the acknowledgment that we will falter. Yet, it is also about rising each time we fall, embracing the new beginnings offered by God's forgiveness. This pursuit requires a heart that seeks to align with God's will, understanding that holiness is not a destination but a continuous process of becoming more like Christ.

"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's grace to pursue greater holiness, and how can you take a step towards that today?

Day 3: Embodying the Gospel Daily
Missional living transcends organized religious activities and is a daily commitment to embody the gospel in every aspect of life. This includes how one conducts themselves in romantic relationships, ensuring that they reflect the love and teachings of Jesus. Being missional means being a light in one's community, workplace, and home, using every opportunity to demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel through actions and words. It is a lifestyle that calls for intentionality and a heart that is always ready to serve and share the hope found in Christ.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17 ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can live out the gospel in your daily routine, particularly in your relationships, to be a missionary in your own community?

Day 4: Complemented, Not Completed by Relationships
Understanding the distinction between being complemented and completed by a relationship is vital. No human relationship can fulfill the deep longing of the soul for connection and purpose; only a relationship with Jesus Christ can truly complete us. A healthy relationship should enhance who we are in Christ, encouraging us to grow and flourish in our faith. It should not be a substitute for the wholeness that only Christ can provide. This perspective helps maintain healthy boundaries and expectations in relationships, fostering an environment where both individuals can thrive in their unique callings.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV)

Reflection: How does your current relationship or your desire for one align with the idea of being complemented rather than completed, and what adjustments might you need to make?

Day 5: Building on the Foundation of God's Love
The foundation of any relationship that seeks to honor God must be rooted in the profound love that He has for us—a love so deep that He sent His Son to die for us even at our worst. This sacrificial love sets the standard for how we should love others, seeking to extend the same unconditional love in our interactions. When our lives and relationships are built on this foundation, we can aspire to live in a way that truly honors God, marked by patience, holiness, and a commitment to His best for us.

"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10 ESV)

Reflection: How can you model the sacrificial love of Christ in your relationships, and what is one practical step you can take to build on the foundation of God's love today?

Quotes

- "Too many people are settling with your convictions and your values and your faith for the sake of companionship." [30:58] (Download | )

- "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." [32:06] (Download | )

- "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life." [33:16] (Download | )

- "Does this or will this relationship honor God? Will this relationship reflect the love of God, point people to Jesus, and will we remain holy in this relationship?" [33:58] (Download | )

- "Holiness still matters. Without holiness, we cannot see God." [34:34] (Download | )

- "We can make mistakes but we're still called to be holy. Even in our relationships." [35:02] (Download | )

- "I've seen more Christians cross the line... It's an issue of morality, an issue of conviction, and it's an issue of the fact that you lack self-control." [35:37] (Download | )

- "If this relationship is going to honor God, then we should be leaning more into the things of God, leaning more into serving, leaning more into being missional." [38:35] (Download | )

- "He wants the best for you. He's willing to go to the ends of the Earth for you. He already did because he wants the best." [44:06] (Download | )

- "Stop compromising your convictions and your values for the sake of companionship. It doesn't ever really work out well." [27:11] (Download | )

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Transcript
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