YOU CAN HAVE A TRUE LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD HIMSELF
JESUS CHRIST IS NOT A DISTANT GOD
Sakkie Parsons
Sometimes, even when we know something to be true, it strikes us afresh. That’s what happened to me recently. I was overwhelmed again by how absolutely wonderful it is to have a love relationship between a Christian and their God.
Let me explain.
Some may think I’m wrong to reason this way—and maybe they’re partially right—but I don’t study other religions. In my view, it’s a waste of time. I also don’t have time to spare on it. My perspective, in everything I do, is the same as my great hero, the apostle Paul:
“And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming to you the testimony of God [concerning salvation through Christ], I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [no lofty words of eloquence or philosophy],”
“For I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”
—1 Corinthians 2:1–2 (AMP)
So I freely admit that I don’t know much about other religions—except what I hear on TV, radio, and what I observe in the lives of their followers. Occasionally, I have to look into certain things for the sake of my ministry. But from what I’ve seen, their gods seem distant, strict, and sometimes even cruel.
But look at our God.
If I were to name every example that recently struck me anew, this message would be many pages long. So I’ll just share a few key thoughts.
The Price of Love
He bought us at a great price.
Because He is perfect, only a perfect sacrifice could redeem us. And the only perfect offering in all creation was His Son, Jesus Christ.
Let’s not kid ourselves—because of the Fall, I was sold under sin. If I hadn’t accepted Jesus as my God, Savior, and Redeemer, I would’ve been condemned to hell.
“We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am a creature of the flesh [worldly, self-reliant—carnal and unspiritual], sold into slavery to sin [and serving under its control]. For I do not understand my own actions. I am not practicing what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].”
—Romans 7:14–15 (AMP)
And now, how glorious it is to proclaim:
“You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.”
—1 Corinthians 6:20 (AMP)
“For you know that you were not redeemed from your useless (spiritually unproductive) way of life inherited by tradition from your forefathers with perishable things like silver and gold, but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a sacrificial lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ. For He was foreordained (foreknown) before the foundation of the world, but has appeared [publicly] in these last times for your sake, and through Him you believe [confidently] in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] in God.”
—1 Peter 1:18–21 (AMP)
A God Who Comes Close
Our God is not distant. Not anymore.
After buying you with the blood of His Son, He doesn’t keep His distance because you’re “just human” and He’s God.
If you let Him, He gets deeply involved in your life. He becomes one with you—both from the inside and the outside.
From the inside:
“I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
—Galatians 2:20 (AMP)
From the outside:
“For you [who are born-again] have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified—and are all children of God [set apart for His purpose] with full rights and privileges through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values].”
—Galatians 3:26–27 (AMP)
So I want to shout it out:
“My God, my God! What a loving God!”
And that’s not all.
His Love Makes You His Own
You are now His possession. He loves you so much that He makes you entirely His—from within and without.
And here’s the beauty: You can make Him your own too.
Just think about that!
The God who created Heaven and Earth, who holds the universe in His hand—He is now your Father, and you are His child.
“Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly.”
—Romans 5:5–6 (AMP)
“So then, the one who rejects and disregards this is not merely rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.”
—1 Thessalonians 4:8 (AMP)
“While we wait and confidently expect the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who [willingly] gave Himself to be crucified on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people [to be His own possession], who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.”
—Titus 2:13–14 (AMP)
And if anyone doubts this, Jesus Himself confirms it:
“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.’”
—Matthew 6:9–10 (AMP)
He didn’t say “The Father in heaven.” He said Our Father.
Can you see how incredibly blessed you and I are, those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer?
You belong to Him, and He belongs to you.
And this wonderful, intimate love relationship is available to all.
A Call to Relationship
All someone needs to do to step into this glorious, intimate relationship with Almighty God is this:
“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what are we to do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.'”
—Acts 2:37–39 (AMP)
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.”
—John 3:16–17 (AMP)
With love in Christ,
Sakkie