WHERE ARE YOU (#2)?
(Relationship with God)
- A rather cruel experiment was carried out by Emperor Frederick, who ruled the Roman Empire in the 13th century. He wanted to know what man’s original language was whether it was Hebrew, Greek, or Latin. He decided to isolate a few infants from the sound of the human voice. He reasoned that they would eventually speak the natural tongue of man. Wet nurses who were sworn to absolute silence were obtained, and though it was difficult for them, they obeyed the rule. The infants never heard a word – not a sound from a human voice. Within several months of the onset of this cruel experiment, all the children died.
God created all mankind to not simply abide within and unto him/herself. It is infused within our DNA to reach out and bond with each other (*Reactive-Attachment Disorder). Yet, there is something else infused within our DNA as humans…it is to reach out to understand who God is; why are we alive; what is our purpose in life; and, what happens after we leave this sin-filled world. That something else within us that wants to know more is an innate outreach of relationship…to truly possess a relationship with the Lord.
We are designed to reach out unto God. Humanity is created to worship and obtain a relationship with a greater Being other than ourselves and other human beings. If you were to travel around the world and study various tribes and cultures you would find that they all worship something. Something inside us craves worship and relationship. Ultimately, we are designed to worship and relate with God. This is why Jesus came. It is so that we could be restored to fellowship; our sins forgiven, that we could have a worshiping, loving relationship with our Heavenly Father. This is our primary purpose in life.
(John 1:6-13) – “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. [11] He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. [12] But, as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: [13] who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Beloved, God desires to have a close, intimate, loving dynamic, powerful relationship with you! Christianity is not about a weekly trip to Church. We must go beyond that. How many times have we asked people: “Are you a Christian?” How many times have we received the answer: “I go to Church.” Well, that does not tell you much. The question should be: “Are you in love with Jesus?” The Real Question is: “Is Jesus your Savior and the Lord of your Life? Are you walking in obedience to His Word and His will?”
I believe there are 3 keys to a close relationship with God…
I. The FIRST KEY is TRUTH.
I am suggesting really being truthful with God; holding nothing back. Do not hold on to certain areas of your life that are just for you. Jesus informs us…
(John 17:10) – “…all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and, I am glorified in them.”
This is the true heart of orthodox Methodism. Are there areas of your life that you are holding on to that you have not given entirely unto the Lord? Beloved, this means everything! He must be first in everything. Jesus also uses his encounter with the young lawyer to teach us the definition of everything…
(Luke 10:27) – “…You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
You know, for some, prayer seems a chore. it becomes this duty, his obligation that they dread. Friends, prayer is just talking to and with the Lord! And, mature prayer is talking to and with God honestly…openly…sincerely…humbly…repentantly.
(Jer. 29:13) – “…you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
(Jer. 24:7) – “Then, I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and, they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.”
II. The SECOND KEY is TIME.
If you desire to have close relationship with God you must put time into it. If you do not put the time in you will be wishing for and will never receive an intimate relationship with God. And, if you will not give the Lord your time, then He really does not possess first place in your life!
We all possess a void in our lives. It is from this void which comes the innate questions within us all as to what follows this life when we die…and, is there a God…and, should we do as He says in His Word. This void needs filling…but, filling with the truth! No position at work, no boyfriend or girlfriend, no husband or wife, no child, no friend, no amount of money will truly fill this void. Nothing is going to fill it…only God! When God fills the void in our lives, He empowers…He enables us to be victorious over sin, and live for Him on this sin-filled world as witnesses for Him.
(Deut. 20:4) – “…the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”
(Psalms 108:13) – “Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.”
(Rom. 8:1) – “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
(Lastly…)
III. The THIRD KEY to a close relationship with God is TRUST.
Like any relationship trust is imperative. The only difference between the relationship of God and man is that God NEVER fails man! If/when an individual enters into a true relationship with the Lord Jesus, God stays true…the Lord NEVER walks away from the relationship…it is man, through a willfully-sinful choice to fail God. Yet, the Scripture still encourages us to put our trust in God…
(Prov. 3:5-6) – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
(Psalms 118:8) – “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”
(Isa. 12:2) – “…God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.”
