Royalty and Relationships

While there are significant overlaps in the practices of many western nations, unlike The USA, The UK & much of Europe have royal families that follow a natural lineage, featuring prominently in their respective societies.  None of the western monarchies, to my knowledge, continue to make direct decisions on matters of state, but their influence on the psyche of their respective nations is undeniable.  It is very rare that even a day goes by without nationwide and even international coverage of their activities.  It is also interesting to note that more interest is paid to their personal lives than to their charitable activities and opinions about world events.

Royalty from God’s perspective

Look a particular scripture:

James 2:8 NASB95

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” you are doing well.

Here James captures a similar sentiment that is spoken of hundreds of times in scripture and most prominently modeled in the life of Christ.  It is difficult to emphasize enough the difference between the love that comes from God and the love that comes from the world. When you interpret James correctly, you understand that to love someone the way God wants, you consider their interests greater than your own (see Phil 2:3-11).  By contrast, love that comes from the world is very often a word spoken or an action taken whose primary purpose is to get something in return.

The Bible records a clear pattern of sacrificial love throughout its pages.  Moses pleaded for Israel’s pardon even though God told him that He would wipe them out and start over with Him (Ex 32).  God insisted on the deliverance of Nineveh through Jonah even though Jonah didn’t want to do it.  Paul went to the gentiles though he had an incredible burden for Jewish people (Rom 10). Most importantly, Jesus’ life of sacrifice on behalf of all mankind from birth to death.

The royal life that God calls His people to is one of careful attention to His instruction on handling people. People, including Christians, are too often ready to give up on individuals and even entire nations when they falter.  Make no mistake that God, and by extension His Love, is patient (see 1 Cor 13). Redemption, even in the challenging messages of Jesus and The Prophets before Him, is a crucial element that is always present in His process with us.  We shouldn’t be surprised that He asks us to walk in a similar fashion.

Relationships are key

While relationships between Christians play many roles in God’s plan, one of the most important is how they reflect His nature to those that don’t know Him.  John 13:34-35 NASB95 tells us:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. [35] By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Why would it be so impacting on non Christians to see others walking according to God’s standard of love?  Think about the dysfunction that is regularly present in relationships, even considering your own difficulties.  NOW consider how debilitating it is to encounter such adversity without any substantive means to deal with these problems.  When the experience and perspective on marriage and family relationships is hopelessly bad to begin with,  is it any wonder that people are depressed and discouraged on an increasingly regular basis?  Is it any surprise that a world filled with such relationship chaos is fragmented and growing worse by the day?

The prognosis for Christian relationships is completely different from the dismal picture that we see in the world today.  It isn’t that problems don’t exist among Christians in these areas, but when we face them by turning to God they can be overcome.  Putting it simply, growing past relationship difficulty is an incredible witness. This light is further magnified when God has worked in our hearts to the degree that typical issues are either very minor or just don’t manifest in the first place!  It really isn’t hard to understand that if we love each other God’s way, the world will run to our doorsteps to find out what they are missing.

Redemptive Responses

Prince Charles, as he was positioned for most of my life, is now England’s King and his legacy will be an interesting one to reflect on.  You might be surprised that, up to this point, I have been impressed with his charitable activities and the manner in which he has conducted himself in his new role.  Nevertheless, almost everyone primarily associates him with his dismal affair and subsequent failed marriage to his first wife Diana.  Though he was not alone as the cause for the collapse of this relationship, his part in it was not defensible from a Biblical standpoint.  Part of his mistake in this area remains glaring due to a hardened and unrepentant heart over the ordeal.  But it also remains magnified because of the inability of a cruel world to find a place for forgiveness in response to transgression.

The reality is that everyone makes mistakes and relationships between people are eventually going to take strain in one form or another.  It is how we deal with these challenges that goes a long way in defining their ultimate impact.  Look at a few scriptures relevant to this end:

Matthew 5:23-24 NASB95

Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Galatians 6:1-3 NASB95

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. [2] Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. [3] For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Matthew 18:21-22 NASB95

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Romans 12:18-21 NASB95

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. [19] Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. [20] “But IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

These passages and many others paint a completely different picture on how to handle relationships than what has been seen in King Charles’ case and others like it.  We, Christ’s followers, are called to live by a different standard than the ugliness in relationship so often on display in the world we live in. The Royal Priesthood of 1 Peter 2:9 calls us to have a righteous & redeeming love at our very core.

While King Charles and the royal family of England have as much wealth and privilege as anyone on earth, they are also people under unimaginable scrutiny to perform.   Their legacy is still being written in the same way that our lives have many possible outcomes.  Let’s pray for them, not with a sanctimonious and judgmental eye, but that the life altering, cleansing, redeeming Love of God reaches them and heals the parts of their lives that need help.  But most importantly let’s allow God to have a look at our own attitudes toward people and the many relationships given to us.  The people of the world don’t know how to love and care for each other, but they are waiting and watching for us to show them how it is done.