Is it Personal or artificial?

So many people in this world have friends, romantic relationships, family. The relationship they have with that person differs depending on the person. The relationship can be abusive, dismissive, loving, combative, and even personal, and the last one is artificial.

The reason I say artificial, is some relationships seem good on the outside but seem stale between the two people. They are distant, they may know everything about the other person but it is just brain knowledge and not heart knowledge. Their brain grows 10 times, but their heart stays the same size or shrinks(to use a grinch reference).

Whenever they get angry with each other, they just ignore each other since they don’t care anymore. They have no skin in the game anymore. Unfortunately, this scenario is a situation that countless people throughout history and even today have experienced.

But there is a better relationship that we can have.

“When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Feed My lambs,” He told him. A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Shepherd My sheep,” He told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.” “Feed My sheep,” Jesus said. 18 “I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!”

John 21:15-19

Hcsb Bible

Before this, Peter had denied to Jesus three times before Jesus was crucified. Then Jesus talked to Jesus on his third appearance after his resurrection, and then asked Peter three times if he loved him but using different forms of the word Love in Greek. The number 3 is everywhere in this small passage.

We could do a whole different devotional on the versions of the Greek word of Love that Jesus used but that’s not for today. The important is how Jesus confronted Peter. He actually came to talk to him personally to restore Peter to relationship with himself.

In a lot of situations that there is clearly a boss/servant relationship, the boss can sometimes treat the servant dismissively. Sometimes when the servant(Peter or us in a different situation) sins against the boss(God), they could send someone else to punish them but Jesus doesn’t do this.

He actually comes to Peter personally and convicts him of his sin and brings Peter back to Jesus. He extends forgiveness and grace whereas some other relationships extend hatred and malice towards the other, or they ignore the other person.

So if you truly want a real, personal relationship, then come to Christ. All you have to do is admit your sin, repent and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Now if you want an artificial relationship, or any regular relationship, just ignore this message and live your life.

I do hope though, that you hear this message and come to Christ. For he forgives when we don’t deserve, he extends love even though we usually spew hatred.

If anyone has any questions or disagreements, comment below or message me and I’ll respond when I can. I’ll be going through Romans after this. I hope we learn more as we go through this great book.