Relationship With God

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Play the video “The Story.”

INTRODUCTION: God desires to build a personal relationship with each of us, cultivating our hearts, character, and purpose to reflect His love and grace in the world.

You might wonder, “Why would God want a relationship with me?” Well, He loves you unconditionally, beyond what human words can express.

Just as a loving parent desires to spend time with their child, God yearns for us to draw near to Him. He cherishes the time you spend in prayer, talking to Him as you would speak to your best friend, pouring out your heart with sincerity.

Cultivating a personal relationship with God is a deeply meaningful journey—one that blends intentionality, vulnerability, and spiritual practice. Eventually, this relationship impacts all our other relationships. What is your relationship with Jesus?

HOW TO BEGIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

BE SAVED …

1. REPENTANCE (Matthew 9:13; 2 Corinthians 7:10)

The essence of repentance is beautifully encapsulated in two pivotal New Testament passages: These verses not only highlight the importance of repentance in the Christian faith but also distinguish between mere regret and true, transformative repentance.

Together, these verses portray repentance as an indispensable step towards redemption and spiritual renewal. Genuine repentance involves recognizing one's sinful state, experiencing godly sorrow, and decisively turning away from sin to embrace a life in accordance with God's desires. This transformative process not only aligns one with God's will but also leads to salvation and eternal peace, illustrating the profound mercy and grace at the heart of the Christian message.

2. CONFESSION MADE UNTO SALVATION (Romans 10:9-10)

This powerful passage outlines a two-fold approach to salvation that involves both inward belief and outward confession. Paul underscores that salvation is not merely about intellectual assent but also an act of personal trust and proclamation.

Together, Romans 10:9-10 articulates that salvation in the Christian context involves an intimate and profound transformation that encapsulates both belief and confession. It affirms that true faith is not concealed but rather declared publicly. This confession is both evidence of an inward transformation and a vital step in the process of being saved, demonstrating the importance of both the heart's conviction and the mouth's pronouncement in the Christian journey toward salvation.

3. BELIEVE JESUS AS LORD, KING AND SAVIOR (Romans 10:11, 14)

Together, these verses from Romans convey that to believe in Christ means to trust wholeheartedly in Him and His salvific work, assured that such faith precludes any ultimate shame or loss. This belief is not an abstract concept but a dynamic and personal trust that should be continually nurtured through engagement with the gospel message. The apostle Paul clarifies that genuine faith in Christ is not superficial but involves a conscious, informed decision to rely on Jesus for salvation, a decision influenced profoundly by hearing the word of Christ.

In summary, "to believe in Christ" is to embrace Jesus Christ in faith, assured by the promises of Scripture that such trust is never in vain. It implies a personal, informed trust that goes beyond mere acknowledgment of Christ's existence to a deep, life-transforming reliance on Him for salvation and a life lived in accordance with His teachings.

HOW TO CULTIVATE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?

1. THE DISCIPLINES

a. WORD (Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 4:12)

Cultivating a relationship with God requires intentional engagement with His Word, as it serves as the primary means of understanding His character, promises, and will. Isaiah 55:11 offers profound insight into the power and purpose of God's Word.

This verse underscores the divine effectiveness and reliability of God's Word. It reveals that Scripture is not merely a set of human writings but carries the authority and purpose of God Himself. As we immerse ourselves in His Word, whether through reading, meditating, studying, or applying it, we are actively engaging in spiritual formation. The discipline of consistently interacting with Scripture allows God's truth to transform our hearts and minds, shaping us into His image.

By internalizing the Word, believers strengthen their relationship with God. Through His Word, He communicates His love, wisdom, and guidance, offering a foundation for faith and a pathway to communion with Him. Moreover, Isaiah 55:11 assures us that God's Word is never ineffective—it always accomplishes His purposes, whether in encouraging, correcting, leading, or helping us grow spiritually. This means that spending time in Scripture is never wasted; the Word actively works within us to align us with God's will and draw us closer to Him. God's Word is transformative and purposeful, serving as the foundation for a deep and abiding relationship with Him.

b. PRAYER (Acts 6:4)

Prayer is one of the most essential and profound disciplines for developing a personal relationship with God. The importance of prayer is emphasized repeatedly, with Acts 6:4 providing a clear directive "but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."