pamcam is offline pamcam Post #11  August 12,2010, 7:26pm
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Both b/c how can we really have one w/o the other; they are inseparable; it would be like not having faith in ourselves.
Last edited by pamcam; August 12,2010 at 9:51pm.
 
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YeshuaGrace is offline YeshuaGrace Post #12  September 7,2010, 9:30pm
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My answer is both.
 
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Emme0264 is offline Emme0264 Post #13  September 8,2010, 3:44pm
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I have no religion and no religious faith of any sort. In my opinion, faith plays no part in relationships. Relationships are in the here and now, and not based or strengthened by something as unproven (and unprovable) as faith.
 
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javajava5 is offline javajava5 Post #14  September 9,2010, 11:12pm
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eHA_Admin_Lori wrote :
Do your relationships strengthen your faith, or does your faith strenghen your relationships?

Or, neither? Or, both?
Dear Lori,

You've hit on a most intriguing question; indeed, one that could be debated like, "Did the chicken or the egg come first!"

Since a Believer's faith is the core of whom the person is and is inseparable from that individual, that radiates out from the person and touches every single relationship that person has.

Our faith definitely strenghtens all of our relationships because if we are indeed walking hand-in-hand with Jesus everyday and seeking to be more-and-more like Him as we are to be doing, then God shines through us in all we say and do.

The ways Believers show their love for their fellowmen and strengthen their relationships with others is through exemplifying The Fruits of the Spirit which we are always to do.

Our relationships are strengthened through the ". . . love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5: 22 - 23, Holy Bible, New International Version), we are to exhibit to ALL our fellowmen.

In other words, if we are indeed walking with the Lord Jesus Christ EVERYDAY as we are supposed to be doing, there is no doubt that all our relationships will be strengthened - even with non-believers.

Regarding do our relationships strengthen our faith? They could depending on if the person is a Believer and is actively walking with the Lord or not.

If the person is actively walking with the Lord, it is so good to have a friend like that for they will encourage us when we're weak, help us when we fall, hold us accountable, pray for us, be there for us, and many good things. That's why it's very important that a Believer choose their close friends very, very carefully though it doesn't mean they can't be friends with others.

Believers share a special bond in Christ with each other that a non-believer does not share with a Believer. Believers are part of the body of Christ; non-believers are not. We're getting into some theology here.

There's a very basic and simple principle in life and it's this, "A person is known by the friends they keep." If we choose friends that are doing drugs, are alcoholics, into porn, whatever, we will not lift that person up. What happens is the person tends to get pulled down to the level of their friend - though they may not engage in those specific behaviors.

The person may start to fall away from the Lord, become back-slidden, stop reading the Bible and having devotions, stop going to church, etc.

That does not mean the Believer is not to help those in need - those hurting, those with dependencies, the poor, the sick, the widows, the orphans, all those with needs. We are to help. We are to be God's hands and arms on earth serving Him like Mother Theresa did in Bombay, or the Believing mom does with her kids and neighbors, or like the Believing nursing home resident does who prays for others, and on and on.

That's why Believers must have very strong Christian, close friends so that the Believer does not falter and so that the Believer's faith can continue to strengthen all the various kinds of relationships they have in their lives from strangers, to acquaintances, to friends, to close friends, to relatives, to kids, to one's marital partner.

So, the answer to your question is, "Faith first strengthens relationships, then, depending on the friends one picks, those friends can either help to strengthen one's faith or cause the person to start falling away from the Lord."

And as for the chicken and the egg, "The chicken came first."

JavaJava5
Last edited by javajava5; September 9,2010 at 11:19pm.
 
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rix is offline rix Post #15  September 12,2010, 4:03am
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eHA_Admin_Lori wrote :
Do your relationships strengthen your faith, or does your faith strenghen your relationships?

Or, neither? Or, both?

Excellent ( and timely) question, Lori. Each person can only speak from their personal experience. In that regard, faith is a highly personal matter. However, since I have been in a relationship that initially involved a quantum leap of faith, it has mirrored the faith journey significantly; and has, therefore, strengthened my faith. And since my faith has been strengthened as a result, it has in turn bonded the relationship. It is, therefore, a mutually reciprocating cycle, the relationship has strengthened my faith, which in turn has strengthened the relationship.
 
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