Is there such a thing as a healthy relationship without loving submission, vulnerability, trust, and respect?

In the two-way exchange of relationship, there is always a first person who extends themselves in such a way as to make the introduction and possibility of a beautiful connection, something that could and should be desired and grasped.

But a one-sided approach can spoil a golden, wonderful opportunity for a beautiful connection.

In this case, as I am describing, I will identify God as the first person in an opportunity.  God initiated, He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay for our past, present, and future sins.    Jesus, who was perfectly righteous, became sin so that we could become the very righteousness of God.

This amazing first step for connection was made possible because of the Father and Son’s glorious relationship.  Jesus was willing to let Himself be put out for the desire of the Father to be realized.  The Father’s desire became the desire of Jesus.  This is a two-way relationship.

The way we define this requires the word obedience.  Jesus was obedient.  Not as a slave would be obedient, having no choice but to do so.  Jesus was obedient as a Son.  A son’s obedience differs from that of a slave.  A son’s obedience is born from a place of relationship and love.

This is more in line with the point that is being made in,

Philippians 2:5   Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

God the Father and Jesus the Son made the first move to initiate a relationship with us.  All we are asked to do is to believe and receive by faith the work Jesus accomplished to enter into a relationship with God and maintain that relationship.

The most basic and primary element of expected obedience is to believe.  Without faith, we cannot please God.  So to take Him at His word and stand in faith upon His word is our first act of obedience.  It’s the response we are expected to bring to the table of fellowship with Him.

Granted, our obedience will go even further than just believing and speaking things we have come to know about God. As we grow in our fellowship with Him, we become aware of His desires as the Holy Spirit makes known to us His heart and will for our lives.  When these things are revealed to us, and we step out in faith to embrace them and do according to what He has revealed to us, that is healthy obedience.

Religion will never produce this. It wants to spell out a list we must follow to earn His affection, attention, and blessing.  It does not move us into a place of obedience based on a relationship already made possible with Him based only on the merits of Christ.

Grace-based relationship is a healthy relationship, but it, too, is a two-way reality.  Be confident in the merits of Christ, but also be encouraged to bring your submission to the table of fellowship so that as you learn His heart, you can say I am willing to go and do whatever You may ask of me.