Convenient Relationships Vs. Covenant Relationships

There is a significant difference between a person who desires a covenant relationship with you and one who wants a convenient relationship with you.
Convenient relationships are established through those who are lonely, selfish, bored, has an ungodly desire for intimacy or romance, have a strong spirit of idolatry of relationships or marriage or who are governed by lust.
It is created when a person desires companionship, intimacy, someone to “take” from or manipulate, then looks for a person to be in an intimate relationship with even though they are not mature enough (naturally or spiritually) to entertain a committed relationship.
People who look for convenient relationships usually have no intention of commitment or their perspective of commitment is dysfunctional.
Convenient relationships are based on selfishness and what he/she can get out of someone else, at the other person’s expense. Men and women who look for convenient relationships are typically receivers and give only when it cost them nothing.
They most commonly enter into convenient relationships for selfish or fleshly reasons (most commonly for sexual or financial gain).
Convenient relationships can last any where from a few days to several years. Most people who entertain this type of relationship do not know they are in one and do not see it as being dysfunctional. There are several different reasons why people enter into or pursue relationships that are convenient, but all of them are unhealthy.
Those who are being used in their relationship rarely see they are being used whether it is for sex, money or emotional stability. If you are the only person who gives in your relationships (whether it is time, finances, emotional support…) you are likely entertaining a convenient relationship and are being used. The relationship is based on selfishness and convenience.
On the other hand, Covenant relationships are the idea of God and are based on commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, and unconditional love. Covenant relationships are not just limited to male-female relationships. It is also relevant and necessary where ever there is a God-ordained relationship, friendship, mentorship, discipleship or marriage.
If we consider the story of David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18:3-4 we see the nature of their relationship was a covenant one.
“3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.”
The foundation for covenant relationships is selflessness. In covenant relationships the desire to give to the other person far exceeds the desire to receive from them. Selflessness, Honor, Respect, Commitment, Faithfulness, Honesty, Loyalty, Oneness, Sensitivity, Accountability, Transparency and Unconditional love all attributes found in Covenant Relationships.
​Those who understand covenant understands it is not their relationships that fulfills them but instead, their fulfillment comes from God. We are to first establish a covenant relationship with Christ to learn the love of God. Once we understand His love, we are able to reciprocate it and are enabled to become faithful and committed to Christ in order to become prepared to do the same for our future mate. Covenant must first be learned through your relationship with Christ then it can be modeled later within your relationships.
The main prerequisite for marriage is covenant. If marriage is your desire you must follow covenant principles in your potential or current relationships. You can not enter into a convenient relationship with a man or woman and expect a God ordained marriage to come from it.
Convenient relationships will never have the potential to grow or evolve because it is not the intent or nature of the relationship. Although it may last for quite sometime you will find yourself in an endless cycle of trying to make the other person walk in covenant with you when it is clearly not their desire or within their ability to do so.
Waiting on God and his timing along with allowing God to instill covenant principles within you will ensure you will not waste time in dead-end, convenient relationships. Despite what society tells you, it is possible to have a covenant relationship which is based on love, faithfulness and commitment.
You don not have to settle for anything less!

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