Bible Study Notes

You can start by surrendering to Him in prayer (Galatians 2:20-21; Philippians 1:6; 3:10), Lord, show me what sanctification means for help me live as my life is yours. He will show you! Sanctification means being made one with Jesus. Sanctification is not something Jesus puts in you; it is He, Himself, in us (2 Corinthians 1:39). The understanding of Sanctification will allow you to be discerning of yourself, and realize that no mere person can fulfill you! No ideal guy, or gal, no job, no power, no amount of money, or anything else outside of Christ will make you complete, or fill a hole that only He can! No friend can take the place of God.

To completely change the black, dirty oil of our mind with the new, golden anointing oil of His love, we have to surrender ourselves to Christ. As a Christian, the Spirit transforms us completely, all that we are, all that we do, our will, our plans, and our opportunities (2 Corinthians 3:18). However, we cannot do this unless we give our selfish will over to His (Galatians 2:20-21)! The incentive for us to surrender to Christ is, that His way is better than ours! This will directly translate into who you are, and how you are in relationships. This means there can be no perfect person; you can only seek who is best for you and be willing to work on that relationship, and, on yourself.

Remember, most of the ideas people have about love are artificial and insincere. We must be prepared to recognize the real fruit over the artificial one. If not, when we think we have found love, we will only have lust and insincerity. These artificial fruits will turn into hate and indifference. When this happens, we will not be even close to expressing any kind of love, in any form. Do not let this happen to you. Do not let yourself, or the ones you love bite into the wax of fake fruit. Do not allow yourself to succumb to the myths of love that only produce false expectations, and lead into the dark, forbearing maze path of despair! Songs and movies are nice entertainment; but, they are not the reality of life. Remember, relationships are a choice. It is your choice to succeed or fail. Are you willing to succeed, knowing that so many countless millions of friendships end, and marriages fail? Being willing, and able to work to understand yourself, love, and God's precepts will motivate you, and provide commitment to build your house of love. Being willing to make the other person feel they are a priority, special, will make that house content, too.

1. Apply what you have learned so far; how are good relationships built?

2. How do you perceive people? Why is this important to how you go about seeking relationships? Consider any criteria you use, and see if it matches up with Biblical principles.

3. Read Romans 13:11-12. How, and what does this passage teach us about relationships? What can you learn and apply?

4. How does Sanctification affect your relationships?

5. Has the incentive to surrender to Christ hit you yet? Do you fully realize that His way is better than yours? If not, what is in the way? What are you going to do to remove it?

6. Why is the willingness to make the other person feel he/she is important, and a priority, a significant factor with relationships? Consider how you feel when others take the time to make you feel special!

7. After undertaking this study into God's Word, and how He views relationships, are you willing and able to work in order to understand yourself, love, and God's precepts?

8. What will motivate you to proceed, and continue to make fullness, and His Kingdom, your priority?

If you are willing to live out the art of loving, then, you will keep your relationships alive!

Remember we do not deserve His love and grace, yet it is given to us anyway.