re·la·tion·ship
riˈlāSHənˌSHip/
noun
1.
the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.
Relationship is about being connected.
The kind of relationship you have is up to you.
Did you you know God created you for relationship?
He wants to have a relationship with you and He wants it to start with you!
The one and only thing that keeps us from having a relationship with God is our sin.
Mankind was born into sin through one man who disobeyed God.
And because of his disobedience the 'relationship' between God and man was broken.
OUR SIN
Our spirit is dead because of sin . . .
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— |Romans 5:12
God has a plan to bring us back into 'relationship' with Him.
HIS SON
Jesus died for your sins . . .
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. |Romans 5:8
By acknowledging we are sinners and are in need of a Savior, we can ask God for forgiveness.
OUR CONFESSION
Jesus forgives our sins when we ask . . .
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. |1 John 1:9
Confessing we are sinners and asking for forgiveness is the first step in a relationship with God.
HIS FORGIVENESS
Confession and forgiveness cleanses us . .
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. |Romans 10:9-10
Our sins are forgiven and we are made clean.
OUR BELIEF
Jesus cleanses us and brings our spirit to life . . .
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the spirit, |1 Peter 3:18
The moment our spirit is made alive, the Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell in your body.
HIS GIFT
God's gift of salvation is free . . .
For the Scripture says, “whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” |Romans 10:11-13
Therefore by confessing our belief in Jesus and accepting His gift of salvation we begin our new 'relationship' with Jesus.
OUR RELATIONSHIP
We become a new creation in Jesus . . .
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. |2 Corinthians 5:17
Part of being in a new relationship is the excitement of getting to know one another. To have a good relationship with someone you must invest time and care for it.
Here are some ways to begin your new relationship with God . . .
The first step toward growing in a relationship with God is being obedient to Him. He commands us to be baptized. Baptism does not save you but it identifies to the world that you belong to Jesus Christ.
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ”
Realize that no one can take salvation away from you.
“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. ”
Find a Bible-centered local church to attend so you can grow in knowledge and meet other Christians who will encourage you to grow in your new relationship with God.
“ . . .not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. ”