Traveling Together
Introduction
Traveling the Road to Forever is not a solo sport. You do it together with the person or persons who you want to experience lasting relationships with. All parties must do their part, otherwise, the journey will fail. As we have learned, it takes a Spirit-filled person to navigate the Road to Forever. But, we must add, that it takes two or more Spirit-filled companions to make that journey possible for everyone. Doing it alone will not be enough. Based on Romans 12:9-21, each person in the relationship must fulfill the following.
Three Binding Commitments
- Prioritize the relationship. (vv.9-13) – No relationship can work unless the parties involved are committed to each other and to their relationship. This commitment involves devoting themselves to each other and making time and space for each other. Each one must honor or respect the other person or persons above himself or herself. This is the reason why he or she must take care of himself or herself spiritually so that he or she can offer himself or herself faithfully to the relationship.
- Participate in the relationship. (vv.14-16) – For a relationship to last and also thrive, each one must be willing to participate actively. Each one must be willing to bless, and not curse, the other. Each one must be willing to listen and to be present and attentive to the other person or persons in the relationship. Mutual empathy must characterize the relationship for it to last. There is no place for pride or self-conceit. Selflessness, not selfishness, must dominate. All these can only come from the Holy Spirit.
- Protect the relationship. (vv.17-21) – No relationship is perfect. Trouble and testing will come. This is the reason why each person must do everything possible, as far as it depends on him or her, to be at peace with the other person or persons in the relationship. Envy, revenge, and competition will destroy any relationship. Evil must not dominate. Each one must overcome every evil with good for the sake of the relationship. This can only happen through the work of the Holy Spirit in each person.
Conclusion
- Main Idea: “To travel the Road to Forever, we must travel together.”
- The Road to Forever is not a solo sport. We need Spirit-filled companions.
- We must make binding commitments to each other to travel the Road to Forever together.
Discussion
- Why is it important to make binding commitments to each other?
- What kinds of binding commitments should we make to each other?
- How can we fulfill those binding commitments over time?