SIGNS OF A FRACTURED RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (PART 2)

We began yesterday by examining some signs of a fractured relationship with God. I explained that a fractured relationship with God is a spiritual relationship that is not working. It is characterized by lukewarmness, struggling to pray and do with difficulty in standing resulting in rising and falling always.

People with such fractured relationship are spiritually dependent on others; void of power or spiritual ability. They pray less, play more, talk more and care less. This was the testimony of the man called Aeneas (Acts 9:33-35). He was living among the saints, but he had a fractured testimony until Peter came “And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy” (verse 33). He was not born that way, it came along the line. He was (spiritually) paralyzed; living a dependent life and existing as a liability to the kingdom. His spiritual life was fractured. But when revival came upon him, “And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord” (verses 34-34). His life began to turn people to God.

Now, let us consider the remaining signs of such fractured relationship with God.

1.      CONDITIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

There are Christians whose service is tied to manna (what they get from God). They “give God conditions”, like “If you bless and prosper me, I will serve You.” You may have heard people “threaten God” to backslide if He doesn’t bless them.

The Bible says; “And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water” (Exodus 23:25). But these people reverse the scripture thus: ‘And if You shall bless us, we shall serve you.’ This is why you find some people whose reason for spiritual nonchalance is because things are tough for them. This is not the way to Heaven.

2.      UNFRUITFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away” (John 15:2a).

Unfruitfulness is the twin brother of unfaithfulness. Unfruitful Christians are liabilities to Heaven; they receive spiritual investment yet they yield zero profit. This is spiritual barrenness; “ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8b).

Believers who are not involved in evangelism and soul-winning are unfruitful and hence unfaithful. If Heaven is not benefitting from your money, gifts, knowledge, you are unfruitful and your spiritual life is not correct.

3.      FLESH-MOTIVATED (CARNALLY-MINDED) RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

These people are out to make names onto themselves. Sometimes they appear to be working for God, but the things they do are carnally inspired. This is what makes people to give false visions and revelations, share false testimonies and engage in all sorts of negatives…they are after building towers onto themselves.

There are people who will only do things if they will be acknowledged before men or seen of men. In the church, they pray loudest whereas in their closet they prayer metre reads zero. They always want to talk and contribute to be seen and acknowledged of others. They are glory seekers. To these people, the Bible warns: “For to be carnally minded is death. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:6, 8).

4.      ASSOCIATED-ALTERED RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

This is similar to hypocritical and environmental relationships with God. These people want to serve and live for God, but their friends, relationships and association help them to sin, so they are up today and down tomorrow (rising and falling) and always confessing a particular sin.

I once taught that ‘there are some people who deserve a second chance in life but do not deserve a second chance in your life.’ These are the people whose presence at the first time made you sin, err and compromise, and they coming around you opens the door of sin and compromise. The Bible says: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

5.      A LIFE OF DISOBEDIENCE

These are Christians who negotiate with the will of God; once it does not suit them, they are not interested. Others live in ‘partial obedience’; for example, they obey God in the choice of career, but can never follow God’s leading in the choice of marital partner because they already have idols in their hearts. The truth is that ‘partial obedience’ is equal to disobedience. The Bible talks about “when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:6b)…this is talking about complete obedience.

Do not be a disobedient Christian…disobedience (in whichever way) is a sin.

Beloved, is your relationship with God working or fractured? The platform for an acceptable life is a working relationship with God; that in which you are known to God on earth and in Heaven by your name being present in the Book of Life. Open your heart and let God revive His love and work in you. Live ready. Live blessed.

THE END

(If you wish to receive teachings from our ministry, you can subscribe to our online newsletter; visit www.treasuredhouse.org or send an e-mail with your phone number to: newsletter@treasuredhouse.org. You will also receive a complete version of this teaching in PDF. If you need spiritual help/counsel, send a mail to: drbukola@treasuredhouse.org).