“Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” Hosea 4:1
Christians treat God very strangely sometimes. They profess to have a relationship with Him, even though they barely know Him. Or, they think they know Him, but when questioned about Him, they can’t provide answers. So, how do we have a relationship with God, or anyone for that matter? What needs to happen? What can make it closer or more distant? What can make it a good relationship verses a poor relationship? Please allow me to shed some light on this conundrum.
First, people must be introduced then accept each other. For non-Christians, the only way to start a relationship with God is to be introduced to Him through scripture and then accept His Son Jesus as Lord and Savior. We must be introduced then accept each other. That’s how all relationships start. Then we have to get to know the other person and they need to get to know us. So, how do we get to know God – that’s pretty easy – we have to either hear or read the Word of God. Then as our relationship grows: from knowing how to accept Christ, to the spiritual milk of what Christianity is all about, then we proceeding to the spiritual meat of immersing ourselves in scripture and developing a thirst and hunger for the Word of God. We can’t know God unless we know who He is, what He likes or dislikes, what He considers right or wrong, what makes Him happy or sad, elated or infuriated, just like any other relationship. Like immersion in a baptism or a pool, the Word of God should fill our lives and saturate us. The more we immerse ourselves in scripture the more we know God.
Okay, then how does God get to know us? First, God already knows us. He has always known us – our past, present and future. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33. The communication we share with God is primarily for our benefit. We need to immerse ourselves in prayer to God for our sake. Non-Christians first need to understand that they are a sinner and then accept Christ as their Lord and Savior through a simple prayer of acceptance. Then as a Christian they can begin communicating with God through prayer. As our relationship with God grows we open up more in our prayers, not only to ask for things, but to communicate feelings, frustrations, praise, triumphs and tragedies, as well as your deepest thoughts, just like we would with our closest confidant. But God will never betray us or forget about us. We need to immerse ourselves in prayer, sharing our thoughts with God.
This two way communication leads to a deeper faith and a loving Father and son or Father and daughter relationship, and a limitless relationship of friendship with the Creator, Master and Sustainer of everything.
Immerse yourself in God’s Word and prayer. Develop and nurture a deep personal relationship with God, in Jesus name, Amen!