Relationship Woe?

Have you ever wanted to be friends or date someone who wanted you to be a certain way, look a certain way, talk a certain way, etc. Basically be somebody you're not. No matter what you did, or even how you did it, you would eventually fall short.



This past week we were studying Mathew 23 on the seven woes. Basically Jesus is blasting the Pharisees because they are so focused on the religion, that they have removed the relationship. They took God's Law (10 Commandments) and twisted it by adding so many rules and stipulations that it was impossible to follow. The Pharisees also wanted everybody to know how holy they were by making sure people noticed their prayers, giving, and religous rituals making then the biggest hypocrites of their time.

Yes, we have rules or commandments that we should follow, but Christ became a human in order to have a personal realationship with you. He doesn't care what you look like, what you have, what you've done, or where you've been. He does however love you too much to leave you there. He wanted to have a relationship so bad with you that He defeated death for you.

• Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)
  1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in sinful man,[d] 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

So do you have have a personal relationship with Christ? Have you had that relationship with Him, but have fallen away from Him? Maybe you're tired of bad relationships and running away from God. He's with you:

• Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV)
  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

• John 5:24 (NIV)
  24"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

If you are not sure, have questions, or maybe you've made a decision, please let me know: steve@soulrestored.org

May God Bless You,
Steve