Reflection 1: Foundational Relationships pt1

“14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” ~ Psalms 145:14, KJV.

There are many types of friendships; however the ones that are the most foundational and rewarding are those which an immense amount of work has gone into them. Like anything else in life where your heart is so there will you find all your efforts. Foundational relationships are those which are built upon unconditional love, trust, understanding, a willingness to forgive, commitment, the ability to allow your friends to make mistakes, and above all the giving of time and allowing others in under the radar. In so many ways this is the same relationship that God wants to have with each one of us. It goes without saying that true friends can prop each other up, can support each other when times are hard, and can even say that they love each other without there being any misunderstanding, controversy, or adverse effect on the relationship, rather those words build and strengthen the relationship. Much like the relationship God asks for and so freely gives, foundational friendships lift each other up and lends a steady hand when required with no questions asked.

“18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” ~ Psalms 145:18, KJV?

God offers his hand, he pulls us close, he is ever-present in our mundane life, and he is always available. In retrospect our God took many risks in creating us, loving us, and saving us as he did. He set the example of what it means to be a perfect friend, perfect shepherd, and perfect savior. So when we look at the foundational relationship we must also follow in His footsteps and take many risks. I think it very appropriate to also include the idea that each friendship we make will not become a foundational relationship because the closeness that is required is not present in all of our friendships. But it can also be true that one can have a foundational relationship with a person whom they have not spend very much time with and are separated by vast distances if there is that closeness present in the conversations when and were ever they may occur.  When we take risks, and reach out past our comfort zone we create the opportunity to find and build foundational relationships in every corner of the world, regardless of our imperfect man made traditions, religious practices or beliefs, and personal stigmas. When we look upon our brothers and sisters in Christ color fades away leaving behind the person who God sees, a perfect representation of your friend standing there before you, and the person of no color, no sin, and no falsehoods. For God sees that shining light within each one of us and it is that person who we need to celebrate. There is no shame in connecting, helping, propping up, loving, supporting, and even having disagreements with people in your life that are vastly different from you no matter from where they come, for God loves all of us equally. When we reach out our hand, swallow our pride, look past ourselves, and openly accept others for who they are then we also become like God and set the perfect example;

“24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” ~ Probverbs 18:24, KJV.

Foundational relationships are built upon stone or granite which supports the load with unyielding firmness, never to be moved or shaken. If you counted all the friends in your life which ones would pass this test? Indeed, few if any people in reality fall into this category by default. In this examination we also must understand the characteristic which makes people fall directly in line as a foundational friend, after God has so molded them to take on this personage. But to do this we must also understand that the first friend you have that automatically falls into this category is Jesus Christ.

The first characteristics of foundational friendships in these kinds of relationships are found in the qualities of Christ, the chief among them is obedience and loyalty. This is in direct reference to being friends with Jesus, because we should not be completely obedient to the flesh, rather to the spirit, but we are all called to be loyal to both. For instance, if God tells you to sacrifice your first born then obey as did Abraham, but know that God would never ask you to follow through, as he sent an angle to stop Abraham, much like he would send an army of angels to lift your burden.

“10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.” ~ Genesis 22:10-12, KJV.

Therefore, in the figurative speech if a friend tells you to sacrifice your first born, know then this friend needs your help. This falls directly back to unconditional love, loyalty, support, acceptance and the propping up of your friend, but in a way that you are not entangled or seen to be condoning or otherwise supporting their position. In this you are much like an angel of the Lord, and thus showing your obedience to God the Father only.  Always know that our God would never ask you to truly sacrifice your only child, and neither should your friends, (figuratively speaking: the flesh), place you in such hard circumstances. Being obedient and loyal to Jesus is the first step in making yourself available to becoming a foundational friend to others. Remember the only person you can change is yourself.

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“12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” ~ John 15:12-14, KJV.

Found in John is the only condition Jesus places upon His disciples and the rest of humanity. Jesus’s friendship is contingent upon doing what He has commanded, in that love one another, and protect one another to the bitter end as Jesus has also done for you. Friends do not attack one another, they do not bare false witness against each other, and they do not seek to harm or embarrass each other, nor harass each other for selfish gain for Jesus did none of these things. Making Jesus your rock which you build your friendships and relationships upon makes you complicit to God and fulfills this command or condition found in John. Moreover, you become his disciple, and as such worthy of His truth which will set you free.

“31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, ‘If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.‘” ~ John 8:31-32. Jesus also added, “51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” ~ John 8:51, KJV.

The second characteristic is found in accepting people as they are, showing compassion in tough situations, and being equitable to all whom you meet. There are so many teachings found in the Bible which supports this, but again taking from the perfect examples of Christ,  center your focus totally on this one most perfect instance which so many missed.

“4 They say unto him, ‘Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” 6 This they said, tempting him that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.‘” ~ John 8:4-7, KJV.

The qualities that Jesus exhibited were first and foremost central to the commandment, “13 Thou shalt not kill.” found in Exodus 20:13. This was also at the center of their test for Christ, for the Mosaic Law was hinged upon the very next commandment with the punishment that violated the first, “14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.” ~ Exodus 20:14. Therefore, because the law required stoning for violating the secret womb, (which was the baseline for marriage, and the first commandment given to Adam and Eve, as in propagation of the human-race), the voiding of love and compassion if both the adulterer and adulteress was caught in the act was seen to be saving their souls as the Law called for the shedding of blood to atone for the sin debt of adultery. The crowd expected Jesus to uphold this law, to condone and thus condemning the women to death. But that is not how Jesus saw it, in fact our Lord and Savior took the exact opposite view point. Upholding with compassion Exodus 20:13, while condemning no one, rather accepting, loving unconditionally, supporting, and forgiving without question the human nature to sin. With Jesus the crowd would learn a valuable lesson which brought controversy and division within man’s law. Thus Jesus knew his Father in heaven as a loving God, therefore Jesus reacted with love, taking a man-made law that voided love and made it into one filled to the rim with compassion, for Jesus responded with;

“7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.’ 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.” ~ John 8:7-9, KJV.

The bedrock which Jesus laid was so deep, so poignant, and perfect that no one even the Pharisees could argue with it. Through compassion we find we are lifted up to a higher standard, one which demands that love be part of every act we do, compassion be the first thought in our mind and soul. When we open ourselves up to this belief then we release our need to judge or be and act in a judgmental way. Instead we lay down the reigns of control and give it all to God. No one need die for their sins, rather Jesus showed us that repentance is the new law.

“10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, ‘Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?’ 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, ‘Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.’” ~ John 8:10-11, KJV.

The third characteristic Jesus exhibited is found in his acceptance of sinners, openly if not defiantly associating himself with the lowest of people. The ability to walk into a mud hut and see it as the occupants see it, to eat their food, to drink their water and wine, to open ones heart and share with them without a since of superiority or judgmental attitude is at the most basic levels an act of love. This one deed penetrated Jesus’s heart, was in ever act he committed, and reverberated around the world touching millions of people long after his ascension.

“5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.’ 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” ~ Luke 19:5-7.

Jesus made every moment painfully public as he took his ministry of love to the people, always seeking the best opportunities which were sure to upset the establishment. He seized the most effective ways to enforce His new law in the most peaceably manner possible.

“36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, (This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.)” ~ Luke 19:36-39, KJV. 

In every regard Jesus accepted the worship of sinners no matter their sin. He always made a point to forgive them, no matter the day of the week, or physical place he found himself, he always forgave.

Amen

May God be with you always, and grant you everlasting peace. If you have been moved by this reflection please feel free to leave a comment and press the “Like” under the “Like This” heading found underneath the posting

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