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A Multifaceted Relationship

Most of us recognize in our human relationships that there are aspects that touch on different areas of life. A married couple may look like just a married couple to the unmarried. Yet within that relationship a variety of facets need to be considered and kept in balance.

Sometimes Christians talk about having a relationship with God that makes it sound simple when in fact there is quite a bit to it. Given that our human relationships are complex, it shouldn’t surprise us that our relationship with God is also somewhat complex.

The Bible describes our relationship with God in a number of different ways. God is revealed as our Father and that has a whole set of aspects to it on its own. But God is also the righteous Judge. He has expectations of us. God is revealed as the Master and we are His servants. Jesus is revealed as the bridegroom and the church as the bride. (While this is not directly applicable at the individual level, this picture certainly affects how we understand our relationship with Christ.)

I find two principal streams as we look at these facets of our relationship with God. One is what we might call the love stream; the other is the obligation stream. In a love relationship there is a tendency to a flattened hierarchy. When two people love each other, even if there is a hierarchical component, the love is expressed in a mutual way. For example, in a parent/child relationship, the parent does not constantly exert authority over the child, but gives and takes expressions of affection. This stands in contrast to supervisors (at least some supervisors) on a shop floor who always relate to the workers through the roles dictated by hierarchy.

This moves us to think about the more vertical aspects of our relationship with God in which He is definitely over us. As Master, He is over His servants. As King, He is over His subjects. We do well to keep this aspect in mind. When we get entirely focused on the love stream it is easy to lose sight of the fact that there are some standards to meet.

Sometimes people who are overly focused on the love side get very resentful of anything remotely critical. Even though a word of correction might be in their own best interest and delivered lovingly, they resent what they perceive as "judging." That limits their ability to benefit from the rebuke of God’s word, the rebuke of fellow Christians and even the rebuke of their own consciences. It is easy for people who are too focused on the love side to throw out anything that challenges their present way of thinking.

For people who are too focused on the obligation side there is a tendency to be legalistic – rigidly obedient. If our relationship with God becomes merely a matter of strict obedience - keeping the rules - there is no spirit. These people suffer from a spiritual chilliness which keeps them from enjoying the fullness of the relationship that God would have each of His children enter into with Him.

As we consider our relationship with God it is beneficial to keep both of these streams in mind so that we can grow and develop our relationship with God, benefiting from the experience and wisdom of others and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit through God’s word. In our child-like love for God as our Father, let us not forget that He is our Lord and we owe Him our life. In our relationship with God as Lord, let us not forget that He delights to draw His children close to Him to share His passion.

Ron Hughes
© March 2007