Our Savior's deepest desire is that we all become one, just as He and our Father are one. Christ's joining together that which is apart results in peace and unity, causing growth of the body through what every joint supplies. In a body of people, it is the joining or bonding among the members that makes it function properly and beneficially to all. Solomon illustrates that two are better than one, providing security, warmth, and strength through their connection. The welfare of the body depends on these joints, these relationships, which may be more important than we ever considered, as our character is displayed in the quality of the bonds we develop among ourselves. Jesus said His disciples would be known by their love for each other, by the depth of their relationships. The supreme sacrifice made by the Father and His Son gained relationships, bonding reconciliation between us and God, and joining each of us together with every other member of His Family throughout time. God looks for pleasant fruit to emanate from every new relationship, displeased with feeble, unreliable joints. Billions of relationships will form between the members of Christ's body, each joint uniquely edifying the whole Family through the interaction of uniquely talented individuals. Each joint will positively add to the instruction and improvement of the entire body through its particular traits. We have been given the opportunity to develop strong, lasting relationships with God and with each other, to reap the benefits of such solid joints in Christ's body. Only if we are fitly framed together can we grow into a holy temple in the Lord. We can all speak the same thing, determine that there will be no divisions among us, and become perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgment. Joined one to another in productive interaction and oneness of mind, each of us can be part of a Family that will eternally produce supreme joy, fulfillment, blessing, and glory. God eagerly anticipates the creatively pleasurable and edifying contributions that every joint in His growing Family supplies.

Converted members of God's church have been called to freedom, not to serve the flesh, but to serve one another through love. God has given us various gifts and blessings to use in His service, requiring us to put ourselves in others' shoes and use our skills thoughtfully to truly aid them. We must help others in practical ways, such as assisting with homework, shopping, or carrying heavy loads for the elderly, always showing empathy. Kindness and patience are essential in our interactions. Love is patient and kind, with patience being a primary attribute of Christian love, even before kindness. Learning patience is a struggle, but God is patient with our weaknesses, setting an example of perfect lovingkindness. We must mirror this by being patient with others' weaknesses, allowing true kindness to emerge from our patience. Being kind is our duty, as we are instructed to look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others. Kindness reduces friction in friendships, acting as the oil that allows them to function smoothly. A threefold cord is not quickly broken, illustrating the strength found in supportive relationships. Kindness also brings physical benefits, making us happier, improving heart health, slowing aging, enhancing relationships, and inspiring others to be kind in turn. We depend on our friendships, and showing kindness within them strengthens these bonds. By thinking of others' needs and expending effort to meet them, we embody the principle of being a good neighbor, as Jesus Christ taught.

Adam and Eve overlooked the impact of their choice on their unique relationship with their Creator, prioritizing the appeal of the fruit over the bond they shared with Him. When evaluating a course of action, the wiser question to ask is how it will affect the relationship with God. Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the Father and the Son, emphasizing an experiential and intimate connection with Them. Scripture reveals an unbreakable bond between the love of God, which is the relationship, and our obedience to Him. Jesus teaches that keeping His words is an act of love, making obedience central to the relationship, while neglecting His words shows disdain and harms that bond. Approaching God's instructions with a focus on whether something is merely salvational mirrors a flawed approach in marriage, where actions are guided by what one can get away with rather than what benefits the relationship. Such a mindset, focused on avoiding major missteps, erodes the connection over time by prioritizing personal desires over the other's needs. Similarly, in our relationship with God, simply avoiding significant sins suggests a lack of genuine interest in conforming to Him. God's revelation teaches us how to live with Him through countless verses, calling us to far more than just avoiding critical errors. If our deepest desire is to live with and like God for eternity, we must strive to reflect that in our actions, considering whether each choice detracts from the relationship rather than merely seeking to avoid severe consequences. Every action, word, and thought matters to some degree because it bears on our relationship with Him. Adam and Eve took their peaceful and abundant relationship with their Creator for granted, leading to separation from Him as the enduring consequence.

When we place God and His righteousness first, our material and relational needs are assuredly met, simplifying the anxieties that complicate human interactions and providing a moral compass to ensure that all relationships with spiritual siblings, family, friends, neighbors, and even enemies remain grounded in divine values rather than worldly standards. By seeking God's Kingdom first, our priorities are reordered, transforming all human relationships into a reflection of our commitment to Almighty God, reducing the complexity of balancing conflicting obligations. Prioritizing our relationship with Almighty God acts as a catalyst to simplify interactions with family, spiritual siblings, and neighbors. Developing a relationship with God must always be the dominant priority, ensuring that nothing eclipses our bonds with Him or our family. When our relationship with God is nurtured through prayer, Bible study, and faithful obedience to His laws, we gain clarity and simplicity in managing human interactions, placing God and family above material wealth and ensuring worldly pursuits do not disrupt spiritual and familial bonds. Almighty God demands singular focus in our relationship with Him, warning against divided loyalties and emphasizing His zealous protective love for us. His jealousy is not about control but about deep care, longing for our worship for our own good. As the affianced Bride of Christ, we must remain focused on developing our relationship with God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, avoiding double-mindedness and drawing near to Him for stability and clarity. Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind is paramount, alongside loving our neighbor as ourselves, recognizing that these commandments are interconnected and essential. Our Lord and Savior commands us to prioritize spiritual siblings over physical family, acknowledging that this may bring division and rejection from blood relatives due to differing beliefs. Almighty God instructs His called-out believers to prioritize companionship with spiritual siblings over worldly associates. We are called to lay down our lives for fellow believers, whether through martyrdom or a lifetime of sacrificial service, edifying one another with spiritual gifts and serving as interdependent parts of the body of Christ. Isolation from spiritual siblings hinders our ability to serve the Body of Christ, and we must actively fellowship, exhort, and rescue those who stumble, recognizing our mutual need for support and encouragement. Within the family, harmony is maintained by mutual submission out of reverence for our Savior Jesus Christ, prioritizing family needs over personal desires, listening with empathy, and serving one another in love. Adopting humility helps diffuse conflicts, fostering respect, trust, and understanding in homes. Every family member has a unique responsibility to promote harmony and spiritual growth, with children honoring parents through obedience and parents nurturing children with loving discipline, patience, and forgiveness, building an environment that reflects God's order. Interactions with worldly associates require discernment to maintain spiritual integrity, and toxic relationships must be addressed by establishing boundaries and trusting God's guidance. Identifying toxic behaviors, such as manipulation, narcissism, criticism, and gossip, enables us to set limits and protect ourselves. Our Lord and Savior modeled strategies for dealing with difficult people, avoiding unnecessary conflicts, speaking truth with love, returning blessings for curses, refusing to retaliate, and trusting God's ultimate judgment, providing a guide for handling failing relationships and hostile critics with grace, wisdom, and trust in divine justice.