Good Human Relationships
(Ephesians 2:1-10)
?
Introduction
Our life begins and advances through our relationships with others like parents, offspring, spouses, siblings, friends and neighbors. Our relationships with others also determine happiness and misery. Then, what should we do to have good relationships?
?
1. Understand
　　1) What others think
　　2) How others feel
　　3) How others behave
　　4) Try to put yourself in their shoes.
2. Sympathize
　　- Don’t be too assertive. Listen to others.
1) How to listen to others ? God gave us two ears and one mouth, so that we would listen twice as much as we speak.
　　① Judging while listening? those who listen to others with prejudice (17% of total population)
　　② Asking questions while listening? cut in one’s conversation
　　- Constantly asking questions disables one to listen to others carefully. (26% of total population)
③ Giving advice while listening (35% of total population) ? One tries to interfere with what others say and give advice, which disables that person to listen to others carefully.
④ Showing sympathy toward that one’s feelings while listening (22% of total population) ? the most effective way of listening
- When you have a conversation with others, do not attempt to judge, ask questions, assess, or give advice. Rather, just listen to them while sympathizing with their positions and feelings, and strive to reach a conclusion based on God’s Word.
⑤ Being sympathetic requires both the heart and action ? we must shoulder burdens for one another through actions.?
3. Love
　　1) We know God through Jesus
① God does not condemn sinners but loves them ? redemption at the Cross. Love is not a noun but a verb.
　　② God does not judge, but forgives our sins and iniquities - He endures and expects
　　2) We are indebted to love our neighbor.
?
Conclusion
We should not live alone. Our joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure are the result of human relationships. The more we strive to find out how to live in harmony with others, the happier we become. I believe the key to harmony lies in understanding, sympathy and love.