Many of our relationships are simply transactional, based on our need and the ability of another to meet that need. The mechanic who repairs my automobile is a friend, but it is an example of a transactional relationship. He fixes the car. I pay him money; end of story. Sometimes even relationships we thought to be more than that turn out to be only that. That person we believed to be a true friend fades from sight when we no longer supply a need in his life or live up to his expectations and we are left puzzled or disappointed.
Tragically, there are marriages that are transactional in which the spouses are each focused on having their own needs met, on making sure their efforts are matched by the other, affection based on the other person meeting a list of expectations, knowing only limited emotional engagement.
Here’s a question for your thoughts - are you a devoted worshipper of Jesus or is your ‘love’ for Him transactional? IF we offer prayers and are more faithful to attend to ‘worship’ only when we are in crisis, or desperate, or alone, when we need something, ours is not a healthy Christ-focused faith. If we unconsciously allow ourselves to play "Let's Make A Deal" with God a ‘game’ in which we come to believe that if we are really 'good,' then God will reward us with the answer we seek, we have missed the heart of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. He gave us a sobering warning about that kind of ‘faith.’ “So why do you call me ‘Lord,’ when you won’t obey me? …. anyone who listens and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins.” (Luke 6:46,49, NLT)
The richest life of faith, the deepest kind of Christianity is based on a covenant relationship! In a covenant relationship, the commitment is made to prioritize the well-being of the other person above our own needs. We make the decision that we will make sacrifices and put in the effort to maintain the relationship, even during difficult times. God has made a covenant with us in Christ Jesus. He loved us when we did not even know Him. He died to save us when we cared nothing for our failures. He acted to bring us to Himself, though He is self-sufficient and needs nothing from us. His promise is not conditional. There is no quid pro quo. He loves. IF we receive that love in faith, we are included in His covenant, our sins forgiven, our eternal destiny changed, our life marked by the Spirit’s seal of ownership.
Does that mean that we have no necessary response to His love, that we can live willfully or selfishly? We certainly can but not if we want to know the deepest, most fulfilling kind of Christianity. Jesus invites us to be His disciples, followers who walk in His steps, not to get rewards or earn prayer points but because we love Him for who He is - the glorious Lord of Glory. Being a disciple is a costly choice, an abandonment of our Self-centered desires. He says it clearly - "So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me." (Luke 14:33, NLT) With that in mind, let me put the question to you again - Are you a devoted worshipper of Jesus or is your ‘love’ for Him transactional?
The paradox is that we experience the best of love when we are willing to forget ourselves and give ourselves to seek the highest and best of another. This is true in marriage, in friendships, and as a disciple of Jesus. If we carefully measure our benefits, if we keep score of effort trying to balance the scale of service, if we withhold love when we are disappointed by missed expectations - we can never know the rich, joyful experience of a covenant relationship. He is worthy of our love, our worship, our constant devotion.
Here is a word from the Word. May we be inspired to follow Him with joy today. "God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-12, NIV)
(Video of this blog at this link)
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Majesty worship His majesty
Unto Jesus be all glory
Honor and praise
Majesty kingdom authority
Flow from His throne
Unto His own His anthem raise
So exalt lift up on high
The name of Jesus
Magnify come glorify
Christ Jesus the King
Majesty worship His majesty
Jesus who died now glorified
King of all kings
Jack Hayford © 1981 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
CCLI License # 810055
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