Mutual Relationships

Within 24 hours I read two statements, one from Bruce Larson and the other from Keith Miller, which said the heart of sin is a desire to be in control. Should this be a surprise since Satan’s temptation of Eve was, “You will not die. Your eyes will be opened and you will be like God.” Ever since then, people have sought control, over their lives and over the lives of others. We have lived under the curse.
Paul says “all who rely on observing the law, are under a curse.” We are to live by faith for he again says “The just shall live by faith.” Christ came to free us from the curse by being cursed for us. We live in freedom through faith. (Galatians 3:10-14)
Faith changes the way we relate to God and one another. Part of our trouble in understanding the faith walk is that there is no English verb faith. We have the noun and the verbal, but no verb. The Greek word is a verb that involves action. The Greek verb contains the following actions; belief, commitment, dependence, and expectations. I like to sum it up as “yielding control.”
We are to yield control to God for He is Creator, Sovereign, Lord, and Master. He has every right to be in control of our lives. Paul says the journey of sin begins with the failure to give God the glory due Him. Thus, we worship the created instead of the Creator. (Romans 1:21-23) We live by faith as we “yield control” to God.
Our relationships with others are to be marked by faith. Paul says “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” I call this the principal of mutual submission. He demonstrates the principal in three different relationships; husband/wife, parent/child, and employer/employee. We are to recognize one another as our equal. We are joint heirs with Christ. For me to control you is to believe I am “better than you,” “smarter than you.” And the list goes on. This is contrary to Paul’s advice to esteem others better than self.
On the human level fear prevails. There are some people who are not safe for me to be in relationship with. How can I know to what level I can trust? Please note, “mutual submission.” Anyone who is not willing to be submissive to another is not a safe relationship to enter into. They have what is sometimes referred to as “the messiah complex.” They are primarily interested in themselves. Selfish!
I hear “Someone has to take the lead.” There is a difference between leadership and dictatorship. Dictatorship come out of low self-esteem, looks down on the dictated, resents input from the dictated, makes decisions, and blames others when the decision is wrong. Leadership flows from a healthy self-esteem, looks upon the lead as worthy, delights in their input, makes decisions with the interest of all and if the decision is wrong takes responsibility.
I challenge you to walk by faith, developing healthy relationships by “faithing” God and one another.
Do you have questions? Do you agree or disagree? Please make comments at the bottom of this page. I long to dialogue with you concerning this subject.