Business Partners For Success...in Time And Eternity!

We are all familiar with the well known benediction:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV

According to Strong's the word communion is taken from the Greek: koinonia meaning: partnership, that is, (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-), distribution, fellowship.

From koinonos: a sharer, that is, associate: - companion, X fellowship, partaker, partner.

From Thayer's Concordance we find it defined as the act of using a thing in common

We can see from the meanings that we are looked on by God as being in partnership with the Holy Spirit. Partnership with God is another of the many figures God uses to illustrate His relationship with us and to us!

So what the meaning of partner?

2.a. A legal contract entered into by two or more persons in which each agrees to furnish a part of the capital and labor for a business enterprise, and by which each shares a fixed proportion of profits and losses.

b. The persons bound by such a contract.

3. A relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal: (Free Dictionary)

This life as a Christian is a demanding one, what with all its requirements for holiness, righteousness, sanctification, perfection, prayer, discipline, faithfulness etc: Just look at some of the demands commands or reprimands:

BE PERFECT! Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 KJV

BE HOLY! But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV

BE THANKFUL ALWAYS! Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Ephesians 5:20 KJV

GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING! In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

STOP WORRYING! Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6 KJV

PRAY ALWAYS! Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

AND THE LIST GOES ON....!!! We have all experienced the reproaching reality of failure followed by pitiful pretense at covering up, followed by the stupid striving at excusing ourselves, culminating in the bullish brazenness of an offensive defensive!

At best our personal resources are woefully inadequate and pitiful! IF ONLY we could get some intensive care and support here, we may just be able to do this thing right! The good news is that we have such help available, for in our covenant relationship with God we have spiritually and literally entered into a partnership with God!

God never meant for you to be a sole trader!

Imagine if you have Jesus in the flesh living with you and being your constant company; being there to support and strengthen and guide you with His unlimited power! Now face to the reality that He HAS given you ONE, just like Himself to not only live WITH you, but to also live WITHIN you! He, the Holy Spirit is exactly like Jesus and He's there to be our senior partner.

AGAIN God never meant for you to be a sole trader!

In this covenant or partnership you bring to the table that which you have, to ensure success of the business. Here we see our spiritual bankruptcy contrasted with His eternal riches!

All we can contribute is ourselves redeemed by His Blood, with a commitment to honor the contract.

In a personal business one commits to making it a success, and often plugs in hours far beyond that of an ordinary employer. When we see ourselves as partners in business albeit the junior partner, we will endeavor to make that business succeed, for that's when we will see returns on our investments. It is important that we realize and see ourselves as the junior partner, and the Holy Spirit as the Senior Partner. Anytime we take on the leadership role in this business and start making the decisions instead of listening to Him, we are setting ourselves up for failure!

So it is vital that we recognize

1. THE ROLES OF THE PARTNERS. The Holy Spirit may be a secret Partner but He is certainly not a silent or sleeping one. We should not ever be trying to make use of Him but rather let Him make use of us!

2. THE RULES OF THE PARTNERSHIP. The Word of God in its entirety encompasses the partnership agreement. All transactions must align with this agreement making it vital that we familiarize ourselves thoroughly with the contents.