Comments on: Question: What does a personal relationship with Jesus look like?

By: Bill Blair

Bill Blair — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:06:55 +0000

Mitch,
Now you are starting to do some digging.

Speaking of the one-flesh relationship of a husband and wife, Paul writes, “This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church” (Eph 5:32). What Paul is saying here essentially is that God created the one-flesh relationship between a man and a woman in marriage to be a picture of the union between Christ and the church. So as married people, we are walking, talking object lessons on our future glory. That ought to make believers work on their marriages a little more.

So, you are right to say we should explore our marriages to learn more about our relationship with Christ. The Bible has a lot to say about roles of each spouse in marriage. Learning the biblical role of the wife in relation to the husband could shed considerable light on the subject.

What are some of the biblical teachings on the role of a wife in marriage that you think would apply to all believers in relation to Christ?

By: Mitch

Mitch — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:00:33 +0000

The interesting thing is that you listed father/son, husband/wife, and friend/friend relationships. Both the father/son and husband /wife are referred to in the Bible. We are also called the Bride of Christ. In a sense, we are children of God. We are honored to be adopted into His family and have become join heirs with Christ.

The other relationship, which can be explored more deeply, is the husband/wife. I find that to be the most interesting of the relationship metaphors. What does that truey mean. I am friends with my wife. In fact she’s my best friend, butthe relationship is completely different than any other friend. There is a different dynamic and oneness. I believe that as we learn to live our marriages out like Christ loves the Church, we will gain more insight into what is really meant by Bride of Christ.

It is also interesting that there are three relationship dynamics, almost a thumb print of a Trinity.

By: Bill Blair

Bill Blair — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:15:40 +0000

Good thoughts Mitch.
With God being a person, and not just some “force”; there is no question that there is a relationship there. There are at least 2 areas that need to be explored when examining what the relationship looks like.
First, the dynamic needs to be examined. By dynamic I may mean structure. There are different dynamics between a father/son, husband/wife, or friend/friend relationship. It would be good to examine how Jesus relates the Father regarding this one.
Second, how the relationship is lived out needs to be examined. What do we do on our side of the relationship?

By: Mitch

Mitch — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:03:04 +0000

I will agree about the “God is not your buddy.” I do belive that God is a friend, but I think the buddy term is not adequate. I believe that for some, there is a certain respect missing as they enter into His presence. Before Christ God’s name was not spoken about directly. Now we use His name all of the time. We say his name when we stub our toe, if we are upset about gas prices.

I look at the relationship as having a father. We are the princes/pincesses and He is the King. We only come to Him because of Jesus and His sacrifice. There should be a holy revererence and awe. We shuold boldly approach the throne, but we should talk to God like He is the object of our affection. He wants to know what’s on our hearts. He knows everything about us.

There is a relationship, but I think calling God my buddy is disrespectful of the Creator of everything. I have a lot more to say on this so I will probably add more later.

By: Bill Blair

Bill Blair — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:06:27 +0000

“God is not my buddy,” is a quote from Pastor Rick from the series on 1 Corinthians where he spoke on wisdom and fearing the Lord. I probably should have sourced that. It has been running comment we have gone back to up here for a number of reasons so I had to throw it in there. Mainly it is the way he says “buddy.”

Follow-up question to pick your brain:
How is the relationship lived out, and what do you base how you live it on?

By: The Judges' Chambers

The Judges' Chambers — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:36:46 +0000

I have to disagree with “God is not my buddy.” I think God is a buddy and he is a friend. The problem is when we limit Him to only that relationship and don’t encounter him relationally as the Parent, Savior, Creator, King, and all the many other facets of who He truly is.