The relationships and friendship with God change a person and his life
Welcome, my dear friends, to „Daily Word for Spiritual Edification”! I trust you receive encouragement and inspiration when you read these daily messages.
We have been talking about many ways God changes us and different means He uses for it. One of His instruments in this area is relationships. Today let’s talk about how God uses our relationships with Him to change us and what obligations come into our life because of the knowledge of this truth.
Our God is the God of relationships, and He uses relationships to change us. Every relationship influences those that are involved. The divine goal for every relationship is for us to be changed through them, be perfected and grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
All relationships can be divided into two categories: vertical relationships (with God) and horizontal relationships (with people). Every relationship changes us. Why do we come to God? Because we want Him to change us and our circumstances. We know that God does not change, so in our relationships with Him it is us who needs to change and not Him. God does not change, because He is perfect in all of His deeds and ways:
«For I proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He» (Deuteronomy, 32:3-4).
The Bible says that two cannot walk together unless they agree:
«Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?» (Amos, 3:3).
Can we continue being friends with God if we have not agreed with Him and are not in unity with Him, His goals, His standards and His values? Of course, not! If I want to walk with God, be friends with Him and truly feel like His friend, then I need to change and agree with His conditions of friendship. God does not change, because He has no need to change; so it is me who needs to change my worldview, values and priorities in order to keep maintain and improve my relationships with God. If I don’t want to change, then I can’t be God’s friend. If two cannot walk together unless they agree, it means that a person who can’t agree with God cannot walk with Him.
For example, if I want God to answer my prayers I need to agree with His conditions. In order for our prayers to be answered God wants to see in us the following things:
- Aspiration to live a holy life and turn away from sins (Psalms, 15:1-5; 24:3-6; 66:18; Proverbs, 28:13; Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 John, 1:7-9).
«But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness» (1 John, 1:7-9).
- Willingness to forgive our wrongdoers (Mathew, 6:14-15; 2 Corinthians, 2:10-11; Mathew, 18:21-35).
«For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses» (Мф.6:14-15).
- Freedom from bitterness towards your spouse and other people. (1 Peter, 3:7; Job, 42:10; Hebrews, 12:15).
“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them (wives) with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter, 3:7).
«..looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled» (Hebrews, 12:15).
- Sensitivity towards God’s Word (Proverbs, 1:23-33; 28:9; John, 15:7).
«One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs, 28:9).
- Cleansing the heart of any idols (Proverbs, 14:14; Ezekiel, 14:3).
«Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?» (Ezekiel, 14:3).
You see, how significantly and thoroughly one’s life can change if he or she sincerely seek God and built the relationships with Him on His conditions.
So, the relationships and friendship with God change a person and his life.
We will continue about it tomorrow!
God bless you!
Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
