Relationships

GENESIS 1:27 (CSB), “So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.”
You were created to love and be loved.
1 JOHN 4:8b (CSB), “...God is love.”
Because we’re made in the image of God, everyone longs for righteous relationships - whether they realize it or not.
PROVERBS 13:20 (CSB), “The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Change the nature of the relationships that are determining your identity in a way that fails to conform to the image of God.
PROVERBS 27:17 (CSB), “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.”
Strong, sharp individuals make you strengthen and sharpen you.
PROVERBS 17:17 (CSB), “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time."
Righteous relationships are steadfast.
ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12 (CSB), “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
When those we love are stretched and strained, we help ease their pain.
PROVERBS 17:9 (CSB), “Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.”
Righteous relationships give and receive forgiveness freely.
PROVERBS 27:5-6 (CSB), “Better an open reprimand than concealed love. The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
We are loving those close to us when we address something that is causing them harm.
JAMES 5:19-20 (CSB), “My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back, let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”