What Does the Bible Say About Relational Health?
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mark 12:31
WHEN should we love? Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
At all times. At desperate times. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17).
WHY do we love? For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers (Romans 9:3).
Because Christ loved & died for us. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2-3).
WHO do we love? But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:44-45).
This includes (but is not limited to!): Spouses. Children. Family. Church. Friends. Strangers. Enemies.
WHAT does it mean to love? Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise” (Luke 10:36-37).
Love thinks, feels, and gives mercy & grace.
How do you love yourself? With the 5 Ts: Thoughts, Talk, Time, Talents, and Treasures.
Walk in Christ-like obedience and holiness. Put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime… But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Romans 13:12-14).
How do we love others? Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved (Romans 10:1). We ought to lay down our lives for the brothers (1 John 3:16).
Share the Gospel with Love: Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:8-10). Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
6/10 Commandments from the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 have to do with relational health.
Honor & Respect Others. “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12).
Grant Forgiveness. “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).
Be Sexually Pure. “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14).
Give Rather than Take. “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15).
Speak Truth. “You shall not bear false witness” (Exodus 20:16).
Love God More Than Things. “You shall not covet your neighbor's house…wife…servant…ox…donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's” (Exodus 20:17).