Did it ever strike you that the Bible is all about personal relationships? A large part of it is simply stories about people and their dealings with one another and with God.
The Apostle Paul was one of the best-loved people since Christ himself. In chapter twelve of Romans, he tells us the “secrets” to establishing and maintaining good relationships. Here is how part of that passage reads, as translated by Eugene H. Peterson in The Message:
Take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life–and place it before God as an offering. Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
If you help, just help, don’t take over. If you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond. Keep a smile on your face.
Love from the center of who you are–don’t fake it. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
Don’t hit back, discover beauty in everyone. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
Think now about the important people in your life. How can you apply these ideas to help create healthy, lasting relationships? Begin today!
