A personal relationship with Jesus Christ
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? This question seems easy, right? It's a basic question that can be answered by simply saying yes or no; however, I want to take it further because I believe some of you are having more trouble answering it than you think. I talked a little bit about the characteristics of a relationship in an earlier post called Starting a relationship with God, but let's review some of it. I consider a personal relationship a two-way street. Communication has to be sent and received, right? Even with a newborn, you gently talk to the baby and the baby coos back. There is eye contact, facial expressions, and other verbal and non-verbal communication happening. There are signals being exchanged between the two of you, isn't that right? Furthermore, I wrote about how one person cannot be doing all the talking; both people give and both receive. I also wrote about time and that building a relationship requires time because it is a process in getting to know someone. Yet, overtime, you being to quickly recognize their voice, traits, thought processes, and attributes. Many of their characteristics will be easier to distinguish. Sometimes you can even finish a person's sentence, or complete their thoughts because you have come to know them so well. You know their likes and dislikes, joys and fears, what makes them laugh and what makes them cry. This can be very fulfilling and rewarding.
So let me pose the question again and word it this way. How well do you know Jesus? Of course, he knows each one of us because he knew us before he formed us in our mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5), but what do you know about his characteristics or do you just base it off of what others tell you? Is God merciful or is He condemning? Is His desire for you to be with Him in Heaven, or to send you to hell for your evil deeds? Do you know what He thinks of you? Do you know what makes Him angry and what makes Him sad? I believe these are some really hard questions, but also very valid. Is your faith or relationship with God based on other people's view? Is your opinion of God formed by what others have said about Him? If it is, you are doing a great disservice to yourself. You have got to get to know God personally so that you can answer these questions for yourself. Again, it begins with your desire and acknowledgment that you need Him. You have got to want God, and to seek Him. You've got to put in the time, and do the work. Matthew 7:23 is very clear when Jesus says, I never knew you, depart from me. To me, this is a very scary thought. God doesn't want to send you away, He desires to talk to you and to give you assurance of salvation and forgiveness.
You can get to know God by spending time in prayer, worship, and reading the Bible. If you are newer to the faith, find Godly people who will walk along side you and help you. Think about this. If you and I talked for 5 minutes once a year, would you consider it a relationship? Or if I only came to you every couple of months just when I needed something, would you call us good friends? God longs to be invited into your life, but it is you who has to invite Him. We have to desire God and want to learn about Him and also learn from Him. He is gentle and kind; therefore, He will not force you into a relationship. So ask yourself again and be honest, do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
Maybe some of you did at one time. Maybe as a child, you delighted in God, and He warmed your heart, but over the years, you've lost connection with Him. He is still waiting for you to turn back to Him. He did not leave you, but you left Him. Maybe you feel that you've dug yourself into too deep of a pit of sins and regrets; He will still accept you. He wants to forgive you if you would just acknowledge your need for Him and for His forgiveness. You may have been hurt so bad that you're mad at God. Maybe someone you loved died, or people in the church rejected or greatly offended you. You can't blame God for other people's actions or life events. Will you give God another try? Are you tired of being angry, unforgiving, negative, bitter, resentful, or depressed? God wants to take all of that from you and to heal you. Will you let Him? Only you can answer that. I believe your heart is heavy and you desire to make things right. God is ready for you and that time is now. Let's invite Jesus back into our lives so that he can begin to help us.
Let us pray.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Please forgive me for all of me sins, which separate me from God. I have faith in you and accept your gift of salvation. I believe that you were crucified for my sins, and was raised on the third day. I invite you into my heart and into my life. Thank You for giving me a way to have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. I believe that I now have eternal life. Thank you for hearing my prayers, accepting me, and loving me. Please help me to be able to follow you and continue on this journey with you by my side. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ending prayer: Father God, thank you for the readers and for wanting a deeper relationship with us. It is not enough to just say a prayer of salvation. You long to know us and for us to know You. It isn't fair for us to judge you based on what others say. Forgive us for being complacent, turning away, or biased and not truly getting to know You for ourselves. Help us to grow in our relationship with you, as well as in prayer, worship, and Your Word. Show us who You truly are. Allow us to get to know You and Your characteristics. Show us what angers You, what pleases You, what saddens You, and what brings You joy. We praise You for Your Holiness and Righteousness. You are great and grand! Thank You for Jesus Christ and that through him, his death, and resurrection, we can know you on a personal level. Cultivate our relationships and may it only grow deeper. We thank You and love You, for it was You who loved us first. In Jesus' name, amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
