The relationships and friendship with God change a person and his life

ByPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
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

Similar Posts

  • Spiritual discipline

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    The paradox is that most Christians, who discipline themselves in other areas of their life in order to be successful – like job or carrier, do not believe they need to be disciplined in the area of godliness. We are talking about good Christians who are faithful members of the Church of the Living God. These are people who love God’s Word and often are very enthusiastic about the work of God. But because of the lack of discipline they do not reach their potential in God’s Kingdom.

  • The forms of accountability in the life of a Christian

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    (1) Teacher – apprentice.We see examples of this type of relationship in Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy. This form of accountability implies having a disciple or apprentice that you invest yourself into helping him to grow in God. This type of relationship means that a teacher is responsible for his disciple and the disciple submits to his teacher. It helps both teachers and disciples to grow in Jesus Christ and walk in submission to the Lord.

  • Organization of effective prayer life

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    Prayer is a very important and necessary part of our spiritual life and can be compared to breathing, which is vital for our physical life. In other words, prayer is our spiritual breathing. The one who is not breathing is not alive. In the very same way, prayer is what makes us alive in spiritual sense. Thus, without prayer we are spiritually dead. This year we have talked a lot about serving God, and it is very important as well. We need to serve God! We need to serve people! But we will never be effective in our ministry to God and people without effective prayer.Remember it!

  • What is the highest commandment?

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 3 minutes
    Once a man asked Jesus: «What is the highest commandment»? Jesus answered that the 1st commandment is to love God; the second – love you neighbour as yourself!When you are moved with compassion and love for people, you do not waste your time on your faults and failures. Your faults shouldn’t stop your ministry. Many people think that they are not ready to serve and minister. But if you have any compassion, you will go and minister to people despite our weaknesses. And we will be saving people.

  • Which group of people do you belong to today – the disciples or the multitude?

    AutorsPastor Rufus Ajiboye Reading Time: 4 minutes
    Church is being built by Jesus Who said: «Follow Me, and I will make you». It means that until you start following Jesus there are not guarantees that your life will change. Changes do not result from religious activities; they are a result of following Jesus.

  • Are you growing in your walk with God?

    AutorsMācītājs Rufus Adžiboije Reading Time: 3 minutes
    It is God desires for every one of His children to continue to grow in their relationship with Him. The reason is obvious from the Bible: until we grow up, we won’t be able to enjoy the privileges God has provided for us as His sons and daughters.“Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: {elements: or, rudiments}” (Galatians 4: 1-3).