Brian Cole: 'Relationships' - Part 2

Genesis 2:4-7 – “Relationships,” Part 2

Last week we covered how God created man for relationship. Not only with one another, but more importantly, relationship with Him. So let’s really dig deep into 2 things. What does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus, and why do we even need it?

We’ve all heard the saying, and may have even said it ourselves: “It not about religion, it’s about the relationship.” The problem with one liners like this is that they are shallow and leave out many truths. It is about the relationship, but we must be careful about the “religion” part. After all, remember what James 1:27 says: “Pure and undefiled RELIGION before the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble: and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

So, is it even possible to have a relationship with God? After all, He is holy, holy, holy and cannot have anything to do with sin! This is why, after Adam and Eve sinned God could no longer have relationship with them and had to leave the garden.

What does it even mean to have a relationship with Jesus?

Having a personal relationship with God begins the moment we realize our need for Him, admit we are sinners, and in faith, receive Jesus Christ as Savior. God, our heavenly Father, has always desired to be close to us, to have a relationship with us. Before Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis chapter 3), both he and Eve knew God on an intimate, personal level. They walked with Him in the garden and talked directly to Him. Due to the sin of man, we became separated and disconnected from God.

What many people do not know, realize, or care about, is that Jesus gave us the most amazing gift—the opportunity to spend eternity with God if we trust in Him. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God became a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ to take on our sin, be killed, and then be raised to life again, proving His victory over sin and death. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). If we accept this gift, we have become acceptable to God and can have a relationship with Him.

Having a personal relationship with God means we should include God in our daily lives. We should pray to Him, read His word, and meditate on verses in an effort to get to know Him better. We should pray for wisdom (James 1:5), which is the most valuable asset we could ever have. We should take our requests to Him, asking in Jesus' name (John 15:16).

Jesus is the one who loves us enough to give His life for us (Romans 5:8), and He is the one who bridged the gap between us and God.

The Holy Spirit has been given to us as our Counselor. “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:15-17). Jesus said this before He died, and after He died, the Holy Spirit became available to all who earnestly seek to receive Him.

He is the one who lives in the hearts of believers and never leaves. He counsels us, teaches us truths, and changes our hearts. Without this divine Holy Spirit, we would not have the ability to fight against evil and temptations. But since we do have Him, we begin to produce the fruit that comes from allowing the Spirit to control us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

This personal relationship with God is not as hard to find as we might think, and there is no mysterious formula for getting it. As soon as we become children of God, we receive the Holy Spirit, who will begin to work on our hearts. We should pray without ceasing, read the Bible, and join a Bible- believing church; all these things will help us to grow spiritually. And these things are NOT done out of a spirit of “having to do them to earn God’s favor,” but rather these are done out of a love for God and a desire to please him. They will flow automatically from the Holy Spirit through you.

Trusting in God to get us through each day and believing that He is our sustainer is the way to have a relationship with Him. Although we may not see changes immediately, we will begin to see them over time, and all the truths will become clear.

If you see certain couples who seem to have a great relationship, in that they spend good amounts of time together, are constantly googly eyeing each other, holding hands and being intimate, well then, you get a good picture of what our relationship with Jesus Christ should look like, but even more so. You can’t lip service your relationship with Jesus, for He knows and those around you can certainly tell if you are indeed Spirit filled or play acting.

What does your relationship with Jesus look like? You can claim to know Him all you want, but does He know YOU? “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven...And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matt. 7:21, 23).

And if you do not have a relationship with Him, don’t wait another day. Jer. 33:3 makes it simple: “Call unto me and I will answer you.” If you wish to start your relationship today and need someone to talk to, please contact me via my website or private message me. God bless you all.

(Relationship with God needs to look like relationship with wife, husband, children, parents, but even moreso!)

Editor's Note: Every Sunday, DrydenWire.com publishes a submitted article in a weekly series from Pastor Brian Cole. If you would have a question for Brian or would like to learn more about him, visit his website or his official Facebook page.