The Foundation
Genesis 1:26-28 - "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground'” (NIV).
Gen. 3:8-9 - "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you'" (NIV).
John 5:19-21 - "Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it" (NIV).
John 14:23 - "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him'" (NIV).
John 17:24 - “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world" (NIV).
The foundation to all relationships is God Himself. Before the creation of the universe, God existed in perfect relationship - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The very fabric of God's being is wrapped up in relationship. "Let us make man is our image" (Gen. 1:26). He is defined by relationship and is the creator of all human and spiritual relationships. When Adam and Eve chose to sin, they actually broke their most precious gift of all - relationship. Their relationship with God and each other was forever changed. Broken relationships needing restoration became the theme of history.
As soon as Adam and Eve sinned, God called out for relationship. He asked, "Where are you?" In this simple question, we hear the broken heart of a Father longing for relationship. Even in light of this rebellion, God began His work of restoration. He signaled the first indication of His Son's sacrifice (Gen. 3:15). God kills an animal (the first recorded sacrifice) and covers Adam and Eve's nakedness. Intimate relationship is so important to God that He would sacrifice His Son to restore it with His people. At the very beginning of creation, God showed us the importance of relationships and the way to restore broken relationships. This theme is repeated throughout Scripture. Significantly, Jesus commands His followers to love each other (John 15:17) and prays that they would keep loving each other (John 17:23). God not only provides the basis for all good relationships, but also provides the pathway to restore relationship - with Himself and with those around us.
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
John 17:24 - “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world" (NIV).
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground'” (NIV).
Gen. 3:8-9 - "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, 'Where are you'" (NIV).
John 5:19-21 - "Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it" (NIV).
John 14:23 - "Jesus replied, 'If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him'" (NIV).
John 17:24 - “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world" (NIV).
The foundation to all relationships is God Himself. Before the creation of the universe, God existed in perfect relationship - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The very fabric of God's being is wrapped up in relationship. "Let us make man is our image" (Gen. 1:26). He is defined by relationship and is the creator of all human and spiritual relationships. When Adam and Eve chose to sin, they actually broke their most precious gift of all - relationship. Their relationship with God and each other was forever changed. Broken relationships needing restoration became the theme of history.
As soon as Adam and Eve sinned, God called out for relationship. He asked, "Where are you?" In this simple question, we hear the broken heart of a Father longing for relationship. Even in light of this rebellion, God began His work of restoration. He signaled the first indication of His Son's sacrifice (Gen. 3:15). God kills an animal (the first recorded sacrifice) and covers Adam and Eve's nakedness. Intimate relationship is so important to God that He would sacrifice His Son to restore it with His people. At the very beginning of creation, God showed us the importance of relationships and the way to restore broken relationships. This theme is repeated throughout Scripture. Significantly, Jesus commands His followers to love each other (John 15:17) and prays that they would keep loving each other (John 17:23). God not only provides the basis for all good relationships, but also provides the pathway to restore relationship - with Himself and with those around us.
For More Study
- Genesis 3-4
- John 14-15
- John 17:20-26
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- God is completely satisfied in Himself. He is defined by loving relationship - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He does not approach mankind with a need to fill. He approaches us with love to give. Do you imitate God in this way (Eph. 5:1-2)? Or do you approach relationships to fill a need?
- God designed us as relational beings (in His own image). Do you embrace relationships or steer clear of them?
- Are there broken relationships in your life in need of God's restoration? Remember God's immediate response to broken relationship (when He was the offended One) - He sacrificed. What will be the beginning of restoration in your broken relationships?
Memorization
John 17:24 - “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world" (NIV).
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