In my last article I wrote on the importance and value of knowing the Lord. There is no salvation apart from a relationship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We must know Him. The Father has made the way for this through His Son. God has not kept Himself at a distance or as a secret. He has shown in creation that He is but then He has taken the step further to show us specifically who He is and what He is like through sending His Son. Jesus perfectly personifies every Word and action of God. He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature (Heb. 1:3). Jesus told Philip in John 14:9, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” To know and trust in Christ, is to know God. It is to have direct access to the Father’s throne (Eph. 2:18, Heb. 4:16). It is to have the Spirit, Himself, indwelling, comforting and leading us in love for the Son and love for the Father. This is the reality of Salvation. As I said last month, it is a new relationship with God; One that we may know (with full assurance) and grow in (until it is perfected and complete when we enter His presence).
Now, the Oxford Dictionary defines a relationship as “the state of being connected.” God has intervened by His grace and connected Himself to us through Christ. He has given His Word that we may remain connected to His voice and His will. As I said, His Spirit, too, lives within us- keeping us connected to His love. A relationship involves connection. It needs this to be a relationship and to grow and thrive as one. We know this is true in our earthly relationships as well. I want you to imagine, what would your relationship be like with your spouse if you just connected or met for an hour each week? That doesn’t lead to much of a connection or relationship. Now, what would your reaction be to someone who claimed to be deeply committed in their marriage, in love (have been for years), and believe they have a healthy relationship but the only way they know their spouse is through a third party that communicates what their spouse is like and what they’ve said for about an hour each week?
Sadly, this describes the “relationship” of many who claim to know Christ. Their only “connection” is what they get through someone else and it is only, at best, a few times a week. It is no wonder that we feel inadequate or unable to lead others to a relationship with Christ when ours can’t even be defined that way in the most basic sense. Do you have a relationship with the Lord? How are you, not only connected to Him but connecting with Him, today? He has invited us to this relationship. He has made the way for it. This is what Christ has accomplished. He has given Himself, His Word, and His Spirit. Let’s get to know and grow in this relationship with Him!
Knowing And Growing With You, Pastor Rudy