Rightly Related To Jesus

To be rightly related to Jesus means you have repented and accepted Him as your personal Savior and Lord. Since we don’t hear much about the word “repent” we need to seriously consider what God says concerning this all important word. I say “all important word” because Jesus said without repentance we would perish (Luke 13:3&5). People today seem to talk about salvation and some even preach salvation, but I don’t hear much, if anything, about repentance. Without repentance you cannot have salvation.

Why do we need to repent? Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3) and since that time all have been born with a sin nature. Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

After Jesus’ wilderness experience, He began to preach and His preaching began with “…Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17). If you want to be rightly related to Jesus, the first step is repentance.

After repentance you must receive the “new birth” which in most circles is called the “born again experience”. I hate to call it an experience, because it is not just a happening, it is receiving life, for Colossians 2:13 says we are dead in our sins, therefore, we must be born again to receive this life Jesus offers. Jesus said in John 3:3 “…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” And Jesus died for our sins (I Cor. 15:3), so when you repent and ask Jesus to come into your heart and be your Savior and Lord, He does that very thing. Then you become rightly related to Jesus.

The next step in having a sound or healthy relationship with Jesus is to desire the milk of the Word of God. First Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” If you have repented and accepted Jesus into your heart as Savior and Lord, then you are a babe in Christ and must study God’s Word to grow spiritually.

Now, to maintain a right relationship with Jesus we must continue in His Word and mature. God has set ministers in the Church for teaching and maturing of the saints (Eph. 4:11). This is to accomplish the following.

”For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

God has anointed men and women to fill the above position, but it is your responsibility to rightly divide the truth (2 Tim. 2:15) and test the spirits that are motivating these men and women (I John 4:1). Far too many are teaching a false gospel today which leads to saints being tossed to and fro and following every wind of doctrine. These people are very cunning and crafty and will sell you a bill of goods for your money. If you don’t know how to recognize these men and women, find someone you believe to be knowledgeable in the Word of God and ask them for help. There are several links on my website to people who I believe can help you.

Last but not least, to be rightly related to Jesus we must accept His purposes in our lives. Philippians 2:13 tells us that it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. You can reject God’s working in your life, but you will not grow spiritually and will miss many blessings.

Romans 8:28 declares,

”And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose;”

God is always working in behalf of those who love Him and are fitting into His plan and walking obedient to Him. Are you willing to accept the working of God in your life that will make you like Jesus? There is no greater feeling or knowledge than knowing you are rightly related to Jesus.

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