We need a revelation for our need for relationships!

"When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine," says the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 16:8

"But Christ (the Messiah) was faithful over His [own Father's] house as a Son [and Master of it]. And it is we who are [now members] of this house, if we hold fast and firm to the end our joyful and exultant confidence and sense of triumph in our hope [in Christ]." Hebrews 3:6



Jesus has given every one of us a mandate to build His church, "Zeal for Your house will consume me," (John 2:17) Our purpose is to advance His kingdom, building it His way with eldership under apostolic covering, and to partner with the priesthood of all believers.

A people joined by God in covenant are not linked together by membership or by a common constitution. They do not conveniently attend the closest church. The Oxford dictionary defines convenience as, "That which is suited to personal comfort or easy use, near at hand or easily assessable." Does this ring true of the modern day church? If people choose the church they attend out of convenience rather than covenant, in the end we will build nothing. A people totally sold out to covenantal relationships are a force, a clenched fist in the hand of God. They are a mutual linking of the heart – a family. Jesus is their cornerstone, their commander in chief. They are not focused on themselves, but on Him, the author and perfector of all things. No army will survive if it is not built standing shoulder to shoulder in covenantal relationships. An army listens to its commanding officer. It forges ahead to engage the enemy head-on, knowing that no one will break rank (Ephesians 6:7 & Acts 20:21).

An article in Toronto's "National Post" (Sept. 3, 2005) highlighted how today's generation is choosing a life of singleness, describing this choice as, "…a sanctuary for one…" This generation has grown up with one shoulder leaning against the backdoor. It's easier to break rank and find another army when the going gets tough. It's more convenient to continue worshipping individually instead of gathering with the priesthood of believers. There is more for us.

God is in covenant with us. In turn, we are in covenant with others. Covenantal relationships go beyond that of husband and wife, and into the relationships God has placed in our lives. Covenantal people are a "no matter what" people who understand that being in covenant is foundational to their walk with Christ. When they see the urgency of the hour, these committed warriors will not be lured away from the front lines. Each place, each person is strategic.

Each idea - each prayer is vital in God's plan. We know we are covenantal when we push through the following:

#1) Trials and Testing: 
Our revelation of the urgency of the hour enables us to withstand relational trials and tests. Our relationships become the opportunity to covenant with God and with each other in greater measure. When we focus on the Lord and His purposes, we desire enduring relationships, rather than broken ones.

#2) Transition:
 Do we break rank when we become uncomfortable during transition? Or do we hold the course and remain committed to our spiritual family? We will find delight in that family as we trust in God and in His divine purposes for the transitions in our lives.

#3) Challenges:
 Confrontation exposes what is in our hearts. Are we teachable and mature in the way we handle disappointments and challenges? By withdrawing rather than pushing into relationships, we become vulnerable to being led astray. No confrontation or challenge is pleasant at the time, but afterward it can yield much fruit.

#4) Offence (2 Timothy 2:22-26):
 Being offended, resentful, or even grumbling is a huge hurdle to overcome when trying to get a job done together. Offence clouds our vision. Let's guard our hearts without having to break rank by choosing to see offence as an opportunity for something beautiful to be harvested, as a pearl is found inside the mouth of an oyster. Welcome it and cover it with love.

#5) Perseverance (Philippians 3:13):
 Circumstances can be difficult and we can still be in the perfect will of God. Paul was compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what would happen to him, but he considered his life worthless except to finish the race and complete the task Christ gave him (Acts 20:22-24). He persevered. Covenantal relationships are deepened and more meaningful when we persevere through misunderstandings and testing.

#6) Impatience (Ephesians 4:1-3):
 We should have patience when we are seemingly overlooked, or misunderstood. The trying of our faith works patience. When we exercise patience, it produces unswerving consistency and gives us the ability to use what is happening for glory and greatness.

#7) The Enemy’s Strategy (Ephesians 6:10):
 Satan wants to divide churches by dividing relationships. By keeping our shoulder to the plough relationally, and by knowing God and His Word, we are choosing to defeat the enemy. To advance God’s kingdom we will have to fight – together! (Hebrews 12)

#8) Prayer:
 We must go to corporate prayer meetings because we are committed to our leaders and to the priesthood. When we come alongside each other in prayer, we should not be fickle about how the church prays (such as, too hard, or too soft). We must stand together shoulder to shoulder to advance His kingdom (Ephesians 6:18).

Let us be a clenched fist in the hands of the Almighty. We are here, together until God separates us. Let us be God's army with no comrades left behind. Totally committed to one another – this is how we will get the job done. Together we will stand; divided, we will fall. Lord, help us to lay down everything so your kingdom will be advanced.

Written by: Loys De Fleuriot, our mentor - our friend and the one who has taught us a whole lot about the need for relationships.