04/01/2022
Wisdom in relationships ( first posted January 1,2015)
Relationships exist amongst believers in multi dimensional ways
Some fellow believers are also your siblings ,some spouses ,cousins etc
Many times we refuse to renew our minds according to Gods word
Romans 12:2 KJV
[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Sibling/ spouse / family relationships are of the world .Nothing supernatural or spiritual about such relationships even though we must honor and respect this relationships .
Jesus was clear about this
Matthew 12:48-50 KJV
[48] But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
[49] And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
[50] For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Tough words but reality .
Spiritual things supercede earthy affiliations
Luke 14:26 KJV
[26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Hate here is very vague and old English translation of the concept of " preference "
He simply means you prefer me above them .
That said.
We must never be found equating or exalting family ties above supernatural relationships
If your sibling is a non believer and resists the gospel ,he is a child of Satan
John 8:44 KJV
[44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
2 Corinthians 6:15-16 KJV
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them ; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And a temple of idols .
At the new birth ,you are now in a new family which supersedes the earthy one
Ephesians 2:18-19 KJV
[18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
This must be well seen and respected .
It also means such folks who are saved are now properly called your brother or sister in christ .
We must never treat with dishonor Gods children even if they are family members .
Now this is the issue
When a member of your family is a preacher or pastor ,you must treat this office above sibling or cousin affiliations
This lack of regard is why many are looking for solutions that are so close by but they can't see because they are living in dishonor .
Acts 10:15 KJV
[15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
What God calls " pastor " shouldn't be nicknamed by you as " jay guy "
That's stupid of you .
If your cousin ,school mate or sibling is a man or woman of God and you choose to call and refer to them irrespective of his or her office ,you are not wise
This was the error of judgment in Jesus' home town
Mark 6:3 KJV
[3] Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Silly folks .
They called him by first name ,refused to call him pastor .
This is man annointed of God!
Yet ,you treat him ordinarily .
Hear Jesus
Mark 6:4 KJV
[4] But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Amongst his family friends ,siblings ,class mates ,cousins etc he is treated as nothing special .
This is why siblings and relatives of a man with gifts of healing can die in sickness and you wonder why
They would rather see someone else outside their family as annointed ,
Many can't be pastored by old school mates ,siblings etc
Pride and arrogance .
Others will say good morning pastor Jesus,they will say ,boy Jesus how are you !
Carnal folks ,their sight is limited to the flesh .
Spiritual men aren't like that
2 Corinthians 5:16 KJV
[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh
Ananias was so corrected by Jesus as touching Saul of tarsus
Acts 9:13 KJV
[13] Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
He called him " this man "
Hear Jesus
Acts 9:15 KJV
[15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
It's like saying " shut up ", he's not this man but a Chosen Vessel !
Ananias adjusted
Acts 9:17 KJV
[17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul..
In my Personal experience ,I know this ,people receive from your ministry to the degree they recieve Your office .
You can only recieve a prophets reward if you recieve him in the name / office of a prophet
Matthew 10:41 KJV
[41] He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward;
If you recieve a bible teacher in the name of a class mate you recieve a class mates reward .
Mary was wise enough to see Jesus as Lord,even though he sucked her breast
As they say in Yoruba language " Mary gave birth to Jesus is long story "
He is the Anointed of God .
My mum is a good example of a Christian mother,she has honored what I do by Gods grace for over 20 years now .
I am proud of that .
Not many are like these .
Stop viewing Men and Women of God just as aunties and cousins ,classmates and family friends etc
See them and honour them in their offices .
The African culture may appear adulating by its use of titles to refer to elders but if many of us can adapt to it in churches ,we will see more of Gods power in demonstration .
Use names and references that carry honor
You will be allowing God bless you and others when you do .
Young or old great or small rich or poor ,a Servant Of God can't be nicknamed or commonly called
Hope this blesses you
I call you blessed
Jesus is Lord,We Win !
Pastor Chris Onayinka
