I ask the question not to provide a “how to” answer. I am really interested in knowing if a relationship with God is something people truly desire.
Peter wrote this: “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…” (1 Peter 3:18).
The Gospel is an invitation to enjoy a personal and intimate relationship with God.
There is nothing standing in the way. Christ’s death removed all obstacles.
But is relationship what we really want?
I’ve talked to many believers who love the forgiveness aspect of the Gospel, that God does not condemn them. They really enjoy knowing they stand in the righteousness of Christ, holy and blameless.
I do too. But these truths are not the end. These truths free us to enjoy Him.
Consider this promise of the New Covenant – “No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest” (Hebrews 8:11).
New Covenant living is all about relationship. Eternal life is all about knowing Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
But is this what people want?
What are your thoughts?
Sad to say I find few that are anxious to share the “relationship” aspect of their faith!
I agree Ted. That has been my experience.
Having a relationship with God, to me,
means to let God’s Spirit come from heaven
to personally within you.
This happens after we accept the shed blood
of His Son, Jesus Christ, so can God will not only
forgive us, but so He will also gives us
His righteousness as a gift. Read Romans 3:24-26.
Galatians 3:13 says that,, Christ has
redeemed us from the curse of the law,
(that He) being made a curse for us:…
(Why did Jesus take on this curse for us)?
Read Galatians 3:14, That the blessing of Abraham
might come the Gentiles through Jesus Christ:
that we might receive the promise of
the Spirit through faith. (Meaning that
God could now come live in us through faith
in His Son Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross,
so God could now live in us by His Spirit).
Galatians 4:4-6, (Tells us more on how
this is done), (4) But when the fulness of
the time was come, God sent forth his Son…
(5) To redeem them that were under the law,
that we might receive the adoption of sons.
(6) And because ye (we) are sons, God hath
sent forth the Spirit of his Son into
your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
I had received Jesus as my Savior, as
the one who died for me on the cross, when
I was around seven years old, but I never
knew Christ could live within me, by
His Spirit from God, until I was around
23 years old, getting ready to die of cancer.
Then my mother sent me a booklet from
Campus Crusade for Christ, telling how
Christ could be the Lord within me, by
coming to dwell within me by His Spirit
from God in heaven. As soon as I read
that, I immediately asked Christ Jesus
to come dwell within me by His Spirit
from God to be my Lord, my Master,
and my King, then and forever.
And WOW, Christ no longer was
a million miles away from me, way up
in heaven, but He was now living in me!!!
Frm that moment, over forty years ago,
and until now, and forever, I never feel
alone, even when I’m alone in my flesh,
but I know God is with me, by
Christ Jesus in me. Read Colossians 1:27.
It’s all by faith, faith in Jesus’
death on the cross, faith in Jesus’ resurrection
from the dead, and faith in Jesus’ name.
For it says so clearly in 1 John 5:11-15,
(11) And this is the record, that God hath given
to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
(12)He that hath the Son hath life…
(13) These things have I written unto you that
believe on the name of the Son of God (believe
on the name of Jesus Christ; that ye (that we)
may know that ye have eternal life, and that
ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
There is nothing more personal than having
God, through His Son Jesus, living withn
us every day, now and throughout eternity!!!
Ted, you have a wonderful testimony. Thanks for sharing it here. “Since then, I’ve never felt alone.” Those are powerful words.
When I first cried out to Jesus for His Life I had such intimacy with Him,it was amazing beyond words.Then I got into the church and boy did they get me busy.Busy have I been but finding an emptiness in my soul.I almost see the works as a distraction from enjoying His presence. When Mary chose the best part she was consumed with just wanting to be with her saviour.I am recently being set free from religion to start on a new path of enjoying my saviour.I see now why I can rest in what He has done so that I can now enjoy my relationship with Him. Bob teh last two messages about relationship have really helped clear some things up in my mind.Especially when I read the verse about Jesus died so that I can be brought to God.That truth in itself tells me the gospel is about my relationship being restored, not only the forgiveness issue that we’ve only camped on as the gospel.I’m so excited about learning I’m New Covenant it’s like I’m being Born Again.Praise Gos for your ministry.I too love to sit at His feet,Mary
From God to me and all that want to know him shall
“Comfort Me by letting Me know that you would see Me just to dwell in My Presence. Not for teaching, not for material gain, not even for a message, but for Me. The longing of the human heart to be loved for itself is something caught from the Great Divine Heart.”
Speaking of relationships,Why is it easier for 900 people in ghanna to drink the cool aid, than it is for 900 people to hear eph2:8,9 or rm5:20 and then suddenly look around their 5000 seat megalopolis religious structure, and just get up, leave, and say “I’m voting for the relationship of Christ?
Eph 2:8,9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 5:20 New International Version (NIV)
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
I think the lonliness that people come to beleive that they are alone, depending on the upbringing.
Yet I can say that all before death here physical death will have had their epithany and have made their descicion consciously for there will be no excuse for either one will believe or they will not believe. And who knows except God, and each individual between them and God