Building A Proper Relationship With God

It is critical that we set the proper example of obedience before other Christians so that they can experience the blessings of God in their lives.   If we want to build a good relationship with another person, we must show an interest in them personally, treating them with respect, avoiding things they may find offensive and showing interest in things they like.  If we are so wrapped up in what we are doing we have no time for them, or show a lack of respect, they soon feel unwelcome and stop trying to connect.  The same thing happens in our relationship with God.   

In John 14:21-23, Jesus said, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.  

 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”  If we show no interest in his things, we will never experience an intimate relationship with God because we are so caught up in ourselves.

If we want an intimate relationship with him, we are going to have to lay aside the focus on our own wants and accept respond to him.  Titus 2:11-14 points out how badly he wants to connect with us.  “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”  As much as he desires to show his love for us, he cannot unless we are willing to respond to him. 

As teachers and pastors, we need to encourage people to respond to god so that they can develop  that intimate relationship with God.  Titus 2:15-3:4 points out the attitudes people need to have if they are to develop that intimate relationship.  “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.   Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.   We were no different than other people, and no more deserving of God’s love.  Instead of judging them, we need to concentrate on our own behavior, as Romans 14:13 commands.  “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”

Titus 3:4-7 reminds us our salvation was not the result of any special goodness on our part.  “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”   We deserved judgment just as much as the worst criminals, because we really were no different, but because God was willing to show mercy, forgiving those who would acknowledge their sin and accept Christ’s sacrifice for it, we were saved.  Our salvation was accomplished by his washing our sin just as regenerating a battery requires eliminating residue that prevents it from accepting an electrical charge.     Once that regeneration is accomplished, a full charge can be delivered and the battery is once again useable, but the battery is incapable of regenerating itself. 

Until we have been cleaned out and a fresh surface exposed, We cannot accept the Holy Spirit’s working in us, and as long as sin remains it limits our ability to accept his working, just as incomplete generation prevents the battery from receiving a full charge.  By setting the proper example and encouraging proper attitudes, we can help people develop a proper relationship with God.