In every relationship there are conventions and rules of engagement. These rules govern the way we relate to each other in order not to create confusion or misunderstanding. One interesting thing about relationships is the ability to take advantage of its conventions to get one’s way out in difficult times.
It is common practice to see unemployed people searching for jobs with complimentary cards of people who know someone or a decision maker in the company they are seeking the job in. It is known as ‘whom you know’ or ‘who knows you’.
Friendship comes in during difficult situations because there are always memories of what one friend had done for us for which we owe gratitude.
The same applies to our relationship with God. Jesus Christ told His disciples and by inference all those who follow Him that they are not His servants but rather His friends. ‘I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.’ John 15:15
Jesus wants us to be His friends, to interact with Him and to get all the good things He has for us. However, we need to know that, in every relationship there is something we stand on to get what we have. It is not about tricks but sincerity.
God knows our hearts; so, trying to outwit Him wouldn’t help. But, when we do what is right before Him we have something to stand on to ask Him whatever we need from Him.
Abraham had the chance to bargain with God over the destruction of Sodom. He made a plea for the verdict to be overturned (Genesis 18). Abraham had a bargaining chip with which he bargained with God. He had built a strong relationship with God through righteousness he attained by way of obedience. ‘And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness,'(Gen 15:6).
There must always be something to stand on to bargain in whatever situation we find ourselves in. There was a king in Judah called Hezekiah to whom God sent Isaiah to deliver a message to the effect that he would die.
Bible says the king went to God in prayer and referred the Lord to the way he had served Him with diligence. God remembered him and added fifteen (15) years to his days on earth (Isaiah 38).
In times of difficulty, what is your bargaining chip? What can you show to indicate that you deserve to stand before God to make a case for yourself?
We ought to know that, life is about sowing and reaping; in other words, seed time and harvest. Therefore, whatever we do for God is seed for which we can expect harvest. It is impossible to expect harvest when one has not sown.
The best bargaining chip we can have in the Lord is our seed of righteousness and commitment that we can refer to in times of difficulties when we need God’s intervention.
There is an interesting story about a Centurion whose servant was very sick (Matthew 8). He wanted Jesus to heal his servant but apparently Jesus was not forthcoming so he went to see the Elders of the Jews.
The Elders went to plead with Jesus with two bargaining chips: the Centurion’s love for the nation and more importantly, he build a synagogue for the Jews. Jesus had to go and heal the servant as a result of the bargaining chip the Elders came to Him with.
Whatever we do for God is a memorial that He stands on to do a lot of things for us. On another note our good works become a strong reference for us to ask God for anything we need from Him.
What are we doing for God? Do we have a bargaining chip to rely on when we are sick? What about when we are in very critical situations.
This is the time to sow in the vineyard of God in order to have something for bargaining before God.
In Philippians 4:18 Paul said, ‘But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God’.
Based on what the people did to him, he pronounced a blessing upon them in verse 19. ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’
Without the things that Paul received in verse 18, he wouldn’t have made that pronouncement in verse 19.
We have to sow into the Kingdom of God. We can sow our time, money, energy and any other resources that would project the work of God and bring joy to mankind.
When we do so, we can then stand on our good deeds to make some requests from God.
Get your bargaining chip now so that you can stand before God to make a case for yourself.
Don’t forget that, on the Judgement Day books (records) would be opened and our works shall justify where we would spend eternity.
Get your bargaining chip now!!!
