Codependency

In the broadest sense, codependency is where each person in a relationship offers something that the other person in that relationship is dependent upon. Marriage relationships often fall into this category: each spouse depends on the other for spiritual, emotional, and/or physical fulfillment. Taken to an extreme, being codependent leads to selfishness, abuse, and regret.

Being codependent can be healthy when all parties forgo what they want, to meet the needs of the other person. We see this in our relationship with Jesus, the Head of the Church-those who have believed on Him as Lord.

The book of Ephesians illustrates our relationship to Jesus using body parts. Ephesians 1:22,23 portray Jesus as the Head of the Church, the Church being us. Ephesians 3:29, 32 points this out as well. Colossians 1:18 states that Jesus is "the head of the body, the church:..." You get the picture.

We all agree that our physical body is helpless without our head. As believers we, the Body of Christ, are just as helpless without our Head, Jesus Christ. At the same time we need to recognize that Jesus, as our Head, is helpless without us believers, His Body. If our physical head cannot function apart from our physical body, how can we expect Jesus, our spiritual Head, to accomplish His will, plans, and purposes for mankind apart from the Church, His spiritual Body?

As impossible as this may seem this is still true, which is why the devil fights so hard to keep believers like you and me from finding this out. Why? Because he knows that the Body of Christ-the Church-will put him on the run at every turn, once they see themselves as possessing the same life, nature, ability, and authority as Jesus, its Head.

As the Body of Christ, we are His hands and feet taking the Good News of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Is that something we do apart from Jesus, our Head? No, the body is dependent on the head for instructions, direction, and guidance. At the same time the head is equally dependent on the body for carrying out the head's orders. Your head may tell your body to go to the store, however it needs its body to get there. Ever seen a head drive without its body? I haven't either, not even in the movies.

Do you see why there's a codependency between Jesus, the Head of the Church, and us, His Body? It's a relationship that's mutually beneficial: God accomplishes His will for Mankind through Jesus and His Body. In return are to enjoy God's abundance in every area of life right here on earth, even before we get to Heaven. Heaven on earth.

If not already, it's time for all of us to see the codependency Jesus and us have on each other. Not selfishly but, rather, in ways beyond our natural reasoning.

Have you ever thought of God being dependent upon you, about Jesus needing you as much as you need Him? How has your viewpoint changed from reading this post?

Faith to Fear to Faith

Of all those mentioned in the New Testament I admire Paul more than anyone other than Jesus, but I identify more with Peter. Why Peter? Because here's a man with a severe case of "foot-in-mouth" disease who God made into someone mightily used for the Gospel. In a moment of revelation, Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Later, in the crisis of the moment, this same brash fisherman turned fisher of men denies even knowing Jesus at all.  How quickly faith can move to fear in times of crisis, when the storms of life come crashing down. In Matthew 14:22-33 we see the account of Jesus coming to the disciples by night, walking on the water. Peter, in a display of faith, said, "Lord, if that's You walking on the water, have me come join you (my paraphrase)". Jesus responded with an answer that both convinced and challenged Peter: "Come." On that basis Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water. Yes, Peter got his eyes on the wind, became afraid, and began to sink; however before there's any criticism of Peter, when's the last time anyone you know walked on water?

In an instant Peter went from faith to fear. To Peter's credit he got back into faith, with a helping hand from Jesus. The two then walked back to the boat. Jesus didn't carry him; Peter walked. Like a lot of folks, Peter needed a helping hand to get from fear back to faith, where he eventually spent the last years of his life-living a life of faith.

Maybe you've stepped out in faith, for healing, finances, restoration of a broken relationship, or finding your place in life. When the "winds" of adversity came, did you get your eyes off of what God said and, in fear, start to "sink"? Who did God send to reach out a helping hand to get you back in faith? I've had a lot of helping hands in my life to help me in my faith walk. Now, I have the privilege of helping others to get rooted, built up, and established in their faith, in Christ. I've been blessed to be a blessing.

How about you? Are you comfortable walking on "water", always in faith, or have there been times where looking at the "winds" distracted you from your walk? Disciplining ourselves to stay focused on God's Word will help us walk by faith, as Peter eventually did. Remember, the winds didn't stop Peter; it was fear. Returning to the boat in faith was accomplished despite the winds.

What part of this post can you relate to? Are you currently on the receiving or giving end of the helping hand of faith?

Something Better Than "God Is With You"

"God is with you" is a fairly common statement I've been hearing nowadays. In fact, I've heard it for years. Psalm 91:15 says that God will be with those in trouble, who have set their love on Him. Isn't it good to know that God is with us? Yes, He's right here, with me. All this is comforting, yet hardly enough to bring me victory in the midst of trials, test, and other storms which Christians face in this life. No, what I need to know is this: how can God put me over in every circumstance of life?  Just the fact that God is with me is no guarantee of victory over the forces of evil,  in this world we are living in for now. I need God to be closer than (just) with me.

Having my stomach with me provides no guarantee of food providing strength and nourishment to my physical body. No, what my body needs is for my stomach-and every other digestive organ-to be inside me, processing food on my behalf. The same is true with God, our Heavenly Father. He is in each and every believer, working on our behalf.

Always prove what someone tells you about God by the Word of God. The Bible, God's written Word, tells us in 2 Corinthians 6:16 that God would dwell in the hearts (spirits) of believers. He goes on to tell us in verse 18 that He will be a Father to us (believers). Then, in Colossians 1:27, God says that Christ-God's Son-is in us. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is living in our spirits (hearts), according to Romans 8:11, I Corinthians 3:16, and I Corinthians 6:19 (note: there's only one Church; what's written to one part of the Church is written to all the Church). This means that all three Persons of the Godhead-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-are living in you. And if they can't put you over in life, then no one can (but They can-let them). Now, isn't that a whole lot better than (just) having God with you?

Yes, if you're a believer, God is certainly with you (as well as for you-Romans 8:31). Rejoice in these truths. Rejoice also that God is in you, willing and able to put you over in life-no matter what storms may come your way.

How has seeing that God is in you made a difference in your life?