GODLY Relationships
2 Timothy 3:2-5; People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without selfcontrol, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
As Christians, we are called to be godly amidst worldliness. We are to live Christ-like, Spirit-filled
lives in a world where so many are under the control of their sinful nature.
Christians are often deemed “hypocritical” for their mistakes, but perfection is not the thing that
distinguishes godly relationships from worldly ones. The primary difference between the two is
that of redemption. To redeem someone is to pay off their debt, therefore delivering them from
their bondage. We look to Jesus for our ultimate picture of redemption – He saw us in our sin and
guilt, yet He chose to take the penalty of death on our behalf, that we might be reconciled to God.
When we apply this picture of redemption to our relationships, we will create an environment where
people feel safe to show themselves for who they are, to admit their fears and shortcomings.
Redemptive relationship offers restoration for those who make mistakes; when we stand for
redemption as friends and family, we will be quick to confess our own shortcomings and forgive
others theirs. We will willingly walk out a journey to restore trust and reconcile the relationship
within godly boundaries when a wrong has been done. We can speak and act like we love the
Lord, but if we do not create this atmosphere of redemption, we only have a form of godliness, and
we deny God’s power to restore.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What has God redeemed you from? Take some time to meditate on how Jesus redeemed you
from a life of slavery so that you could stand in a right relationship with Him.
2. With this in mind, how could you stand to grow in creating an atmosphere of redemption in
your relationships?
3. How have you been a selfish and worldly friend, spouse, parent, etc? Repent of this
selfishness and ask God to grow you in humility and love.
