Do I have a transformational or transactional relationship with God? We tend to gage the answers to questions by how successful the results are. We should focus on our relationship with God who approaches the process with relationship glasses. I don't have to get it right. The Trinity is: God is one, but He is also 3 -- Father Son, and Holy Spirit; All in perfect unity, but with clear, perfect distinctions between the three. Love is the connection within the Trinity. There is a perfect giving of each self to the other.
1) God desires to form, conform and transform you into the image of Jesus. (Gal. 4:19; Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18). The more we are like Jesus, the more we enter into a relationship with Him--moving toward a perfect relationship.
2) A Transactional Relationship: Ex-change; Benefits of provision; Focus on psychological betterment; Focuses on results/answers; Based on a system of rewards and punishments; mired in daily affairs; Happiness is the plumb-line.
3) A Transformational Relationship: Change, The Relationship is the benefit; Focuses on the person; Desires to benefit the other with no reciprocations necessary; Long-term and holistic; Metamorphosis is the plumb -line.
