Articles
Loving God is a Relationship and a Religion
Is it biblical to have a relationship with God? The short answer is, “Yes!” In fact, each worshipper is expected and encouraged to have a personal relationship with Him. This is a better question to ask yourself, “Is your relationship with God a biblical one?” Every single relationship between one human and another is unique, just as each individual’s relationship with God is going to be unique. However, the Bible never changes. This means that the principles by which everyone should be interacting with God should be the same from person to person. Our relationships with God are always based on His standards, not the world’s, and certainly not on our own.
Romans 10:17 (ESV) says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” The people who stand in the pulpit every Sunday to preach the word of God tend to be amazing people that often held in high regard. Yet, they are still human beings who will make mistakes from time to time. In Galatians 2:11-14, the apostle Peter made a mistake by being polite to the Gentiles, but only as long as certain people weren’t around to watch. Peter showed partiality and so, the great encourager Barnabas, was momentarily led astray. Like Peter ad Barnabas, we can unintentionally be led astray or even end up leading others astray. Thus, we are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to compare everything to the word of God. Take the biblical test by comparing all that we think, read, hear, do, and say to the Bible. This is the only assured way to bring our entire beings toward what is righteous in God’s eyes.
Jesus, in Matthew 7:21-27, explains that not everyone who says they are a follower of Christ will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Romans 10:17 mentions the word hearing, but the verse is really talking about listening. A hearer tends to forget words or let them go in one ear and out the other, resulting in disobedience. Listeners on the other hand, consciously reflect on the words they hear and invite them into their inner being. Everyone is engaged in a personal fight for their eternal souls. Each person will have to stand before God on the judgment day and put their entire life in front of Him. Your individual relationship with God requires you to personally make it grow. The Greek word for “sharing” in Philemon verse 6 (ESV) can also be translated as participation. Relationships are a two way street. Are you fully committed to living a life as a beloved child and obedient member of the faith? God is reaching out His hand. Will you take action? Grab hold of it?
