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Religion verses relationship with God
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Intimacy with God requires personal contact
photograph by Jolanta Mazus Dreamtime.com
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Knowing about God does not equate to knowing God. History books educate society about the life and achievements of great men and women who once lived, and twenty-first century media informs the world about the great men and women living around the globe today. However, learning about these people only imparts head knowledge. No one can ever have a personal relationship with another person through a book or media report. A personal relationship requires personal contact. The Bible is a book which can enhance our knowledge about God, but it is not God Himself. This fact does not annul the necessity of feasting on the word of God for spiritual nourishment, but exposes the reality that there is something significantly more.
What is religion?
For many Christian their relgion defines their personal spiritual beliefs. Christians have been taught to trust the leaders of their particular religion as authorities on spiritual matters. Too often these religious leaders become obstacles between the people and God. Jesus is the Great High Priest. He tore down the veil between God and man so that all men may come boldly before the throne of God and enjoy personal relationship with HIm.
The three primary web definitions for religion are:
- a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
- a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
- the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
What is relationship?
Relationship is the product of a gradual, yet continual, interaction between people. It requires time, interaction, personal contact and unity to build an intimate relationship that would motivate two people to enter into marriage vows. Likewise it is the investment of intimacy that yields loving parents and their intimate relationship with their children whom they give life to, nourish, and guide on a daily basis. Jesus had such a relationship with the Father. He knew His Father's voice and spoke to Him everyday. They were not mere acquaintances that met periodically.
Jesus had an intimate relationship with God
The Bible is very explicit on the intimacy between the Father and His Son, Jesus the Messiah. His life is the prototype for all believers, He is the great example of how every person should live. During His earthly ministry Jesus was the very image of God (Genesis 1:27).
John 14:7-15
- 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
- 8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
- 9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
- 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
- 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.
- 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
- 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
- 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Obtaining intimacy with the Father
The Bible declares that Jesus is the first among many brothers (Romans 8:29). Believers are to embrace the same intimacy with the Father that Jesus had during His mortal life. They are to reflect the image of the Father as perfectly as Jesus did so that every believer may say, “When you see me, you see the Father.”
How did Jesus' develop/maintain an intimate relationship with the Father?
Mark 1:35
- Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Pray is the key to intimacy with God. In the peaceful, quite, stillness of the mind the voice of God is heard (Psalm 46:10; 1 Kings 19:9-18). It is not enough to speak to God. One-sided conversation does not promote intimacy. Having ears to hear God speak in response to prayer is necessary for an intimate relationship. It does not require a degree in theology to speak to God, for God calls all men to Himself (John 12:32).
Eternal Life
John 17:3
- And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Comments about this article are welcome.
To visit Kansas City Pastor David C. Hairabedian's website click here
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